Low-Cost Carriers to Get High-Speed LEO Internet in Landmark Deal

BARCELONA, Spain – January 22, 2026 – The era of disconnected budget flights is drawing to a close as technology company Immfly, in a landmark partnership with satellite operator Eutelsat OneWeb and hardware provider Gogo, announced plans to roll out high-speed, low-latency internet to low-cost and ultra-low-cost carrier (LCC/ULCC) fleets worldwide. The service, slated to launch in 2026, aims to equip a vast and historically underserved segment of the aviation market with broadband connectivity that rivals ground-based experiences.

For years, passengers on budget airlines have largely been cut off from the digital world at 35,000 feet. The new initiative promises to change that by leveraging a powerful combination of next-generation satellite and hardware technology. The solution will bring Eutelsat’s OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to narrowbody aircraft using Gogo's advanced electronically steered antenna, all integrated through Immfly’s proprietary onboard server. This collaboration marks a significant step toward democratizing in-flight connectivity, making it an accessible standard rather than a premium luxury.

Closing the In-Flight Digital Divide

The announcement directly addresses a long-standing gap in the passenger experience between full-service carriers and their low-cost counterparts. Historically, LCCs have shied away from installing broadband solutions due to prohibitive costs, the added weight of traditional antennas impacting fuel efficiency, and lengthy installation times that clash with their high-utilization, quick-turnaround business models. This has left millions of travelers without access to reliable Wi-Fi, even as connectivity has become a baseline expectation in nearly every other aspect of modern life.

"This initiative marks a turning point for the LCC/ULCC industry," said Jimmy M. von Korff, Executive Chairman and co-founder of Immfly. "Narrowbody aircraft remain disconnected, and we're bringing them into the digital era through Eutelsat's OneWeb high-speed LEO connectivity services and Gogo ESA hardware – enabling ancillary revenue growth, streamlining operations, and providing passengers with connectivity on par with their ground experiences."

By offering a solution designed specifically to overcome these historical barriers, the partnership aims to level the playing field. The system is engineered to be lightweight, cost-effective, and, crucially, rapidly deployable. Immfly reports that a full installation can be completed in just 24 to 30 hours, a timeframe that dramatically minimizes aircraft downtime and aligns with the operational demands of budget airlines.

The Technology Powering the Revolution

The new service is built on a synergistic alliance of three industry leaders, each contributing a critical piece of the technological puzzle.

At its core is Eutelsat's OneWeb LEO satellite network. Comprising over 600 satellites orbiting much closer to Earth than traditional geostationary (GEO) satellites, the LEO constellation delivers significantly lower latency (under 50ms) and high-speed connections exceeding 100 Mbps. This performance is essential for supporting modern internet usage, from video streaming and real-time social media to VPN access and cloud-based applications.

"Eutelsat's OneWeb constellation is bringing high-speed, low-latency connectivity to fleets long underserved by in-flight broadband," commented Claire Gombault, Director of Commercial Aviation for Eutelsat. "Together with Immfly and Gogo, we're transforming the passenger experience while creating new opportunities to generate onboard revenue."

Providing the physical link to the satellites is Gogo's Plane Simple electronically steered antenna (ESA). This next-generation hardware is designed to be lightweight and have low aerodynamic drag, mitigating the fuel burn concerns that have deterred LCCs in the past. Its rapid installation capability is a key selling point for airlines that measure downtime in hours, not days.

"As the conduit connecting the Immfly hardware with the OneWeb constellation, this perfectly demonstrates that the Gogo hardware can support the connectivity needs of high-density, narrowbody aircraft," said Colin Quarless, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Gogo.

Integrating these components is Immfly's Equilux Aero onboard server. This modular, antenna-agnostic platform acts as the central hub, managing the connectivity while also seamlessly integrating with Immfly's suite of digital services, including wireless entertainment and onboard retail solutions. Its agnostic design provides airlines with long-term flexibility, allowing them to adapt to future satellite technologies without requiring a complete hardware overhaul.

A New Ancillary Revenue Lifeline

For low-cost carriers, the introduction of high-speed internet is about far more than just passenger satisfaction; it represents a powerful new engine for ancillary revenue and operational efficiency. The business model of LCCs is heavily reliant on generating income beyond the ticket price, and reliable connectivity unlocks a host of new digital opportunities.

First, it enables the monetization of Wi-Fi access itself, with potential for tiered pricing based on speed or data usage. More significantly, it transforms the aircraft cabin into a fully-fledged digital marketplace. With real-time payment processing now possible, airlines can overcome the perennial problem of declined credit card transactions that are processed post-flight. This opens the door to sophisticated in-seat ordering systems for food, beverages, and duty-free goods, all managed through passengers' personal devices.

Immfly's ecosystem, enhanced by its 2025 acquisition of data intelligence firm Data Clarity, allows airlines to leverage data analytics to optimize retail strategy, forecast demand with high accuracy to reduce waste, and dynamically price offerings to maximize sales. Beyond retail, connectivity enables operational savings through the implementation of digital tools for the crew, such as Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) and real-time communication with ground operations, which can help optimize flight paths and reduce fuel consumption.

Navigating a Competitive Sky

The Immfly-Gogo-OneWeb partnership enters a competitive in-flight connectivity market. It will face established players like Viasat and Intelsat, as well as the high-profile newcomer Starlink Aviation from SpaceX. Starlink, with its massive LEO constellation and strong brand recognition, has made significant inroads, promising exceptionally high speeds.

However, the alliance's offering appears carefully positioned as a purpose-built solution for the unique demands of the LCC/ULCC segment. While some carriers have expressed concerns about the cost and aerodynamic drag associated with other systems, this new solution emphasizes its lightweight design and rapid, cost-effective installation. It presents a holistic package that combines connectivity with a proven digital retail and entertainment ecosystem, offering airlines a clear and integrated path to revenue generation, not just a broadband pipe.

With the service launch planned for 2026, Immfly is now accepting requests from airlines for pilot programs. Looking further ahead, the company is on a path to secure Boeing's line-fit certification by the end of 2027. Achieving this would allow the hardware to be installed directly on the assembly line of new aircraft, solidifying its role as a standard feature and signaling a future where connected air travel is no longer a question of which airline you fly, but simply a part of the journey itself.