SES Secures Major Deal to Upgrade Inflight Wi-Fi for LATAM Airlines

2026-07-30 digital

Betzdorf, Thursday 30 July 2026
In July 2026, LATAM Airlines partnered with SES to equip over 60 aircraft with multi-orbit connectivity, utilising an innovative, ultra-thin antenna measuring less than seven centimetres tall.

Pioneering Multi-Orbit Technology in Latin America

The agreement, confirmed in late July 2026, marks a significant milestone for regional aviation as LATAM Airlines becomes the largest carrier in Latin America to implement SES’s advanced multi-orbit inflight connectivity (IFC) [2][3][6]. Under this contract, more than 60 Airbus (specifically A320neo and A321XLR models) and Embraer E195-E2 aircraft will be equipped with the service over the coming years [2][3]. The technological cornerstone of this upgrade is an electronically steered array (ESA) antenna, specifically the Gilat Sidewinder, which stands at less than seven centimetres tall [3][6]. This low-profile hardware allows aircraft to connect seamlessly to satellites operating across different orbits, ensuring uninterrupted high-speed broadband coverage regardless of geographic location [3].

Integrating LEO and GEO Capabilities

By leveraging a multi-orbit network architecture, the new system offers a highly resilient hybrid connection. The ESA terminal is designed to enable Low Earth Orbit (LEO) functionality via the Eutelsat OneWeb network, which delivers the low-latency performance required for real-time applications and rapid data transfers [8]. Simultaneously, the system maintains Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) capabilities through SES’s own fleet, providing a critical fallback to support connectivity in regions where regulatory challenges or local constraints might otherwise disrupt LEO services [8]. This dual-orbit approach is intended to provide passengers with a reliable, high-speed onboard internet experience that closely mirrors the quality of ground-based broadband networks [3].

Fleet Modernisation and Regional Growth

This digital upgrade aligns with LATAM’s ambitious fleet renewal program. Earlier in July 2026, the airline group disclosed plans to integrate 40 next-generation aircraft within the year, including new narrowbody models from Airbus and regional jets from Embraer [2]. Looking further ahead, LATAM projects the addition of up to 130 additional aircraft by the end of the decade, aiming for next-generation models to constitute 50% of its total fleet by 2030 [2]. Currently, the carrier holds firm orders for 24 Embraer E2 jets and approximately 80 Airbus narrowbody aircraft [6]. The addition of these 60 newly contracted aircraft to the airline’s existing fleet of 250 SES-connected planes represents an expansion of 24% in LATAM’s SES-powered fleet [2].

A Diversified Connectivity Landscape

The contract builds upon a deep-rooted, decade-long partnership between the two companies, which originally commenced under Intelsat [2][3]. Over the years, this collaboration successfully deployed legacy 2Ku IFC services to more than 200 Airbus A320 family aircraft [2][3]. While SES solidifies its position as the primary provider for LATAM’s single-aisle and regional fleets, the airline continues to employ a diversified multi-provider strategy [6]. For its long-haul, wide-body fleet, LATAM relies on Viasat’s Ka-band Amara IFC solution, a system selected in mid-2025 [2][6]. This hybrid vendor approach highlights a growing trend among global airlines to combine different satellite technologies to optimise operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction across diverse flight routes [GPT].

Sources & Ecosystem Partners

satellite connectivity digital infrastructure