Panasonic Avionics Corporation, the world's leading supplier of in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems (IFEC), has today announced that it has been selected by Airbus as a managed service provider (MSP) for its Airspace Link HBCplus Ku solution. This selection firms-up an earlier MoU phase which was revealed at Aircraft Interiors Expo in June this year.

HBCplus is Airbus' high bandwidth connectivity solution that will be offered as a line-fit catalogue or retrofit option on all its aircraft programs.

As an MSP for HBCplus, Panasonic Avionics will be able to seamlessly integrate its multi-orbit connectivity service, a blend of LEO (low earth orbit) and GEO (geostationary equatorial orbit) satellite constellations, onto Airbus aircraft, using an electronically steered antenna (ESA) with a multi-beam operation that can simultaneously access Panasonic Avionics' LEO and GEO networks.

Panasonic Avionics' in-flight connectivity services are powered by its global network of high-speed, high-bandwidth satellites, and have been selected by more than 70 of the world's leading airlines. The company's dedication to a multi-orbit strategy will offer airlines more choices, with top-tier products that support high-speed and low latency connectivity solutions.

John Wade, Vice President of Panasonic Avionics' In-flight Connectivity Business Unit, said: “HBCplusaligns perfectly with our multi-orbit strategy and will seamlessly integrate with our LEO and GEO connectivity solutions. We understand the needs of airlines and OEMs alike. By offering HBCplus we are providing airlines with a greater choice of connectivity services, and ultimately enhancing the passenger experience.”

Maximilian Ruecker, VP Cabin Procurement Seats, IFE and Electronics at Airbus, said: "Airbus' vision is to make state of the art IFC technology available to its customers while offering the best choice of connectivity providers. As such we are pleased to be able to include Panasonic Avionics as a player in this program. We are looking forward to continuing to enrich this cooperation."

In 2022, Panasonic Avionics announced a partnership with OneWeb to market, sell and support its high-speed, low-latency LEO in-flight broadband services to commercial airlines worldwide. Latency, the responsiveness of a network which impacts all activities online, is reduced on LEO to below 100 milliseconds, delivering a much more responsive in-flight connectivity experience to passengers when connected to this satellite constellation. Panasonic Avionics offers OneWeb's global service stand-alone or paired with its award-winning GEO service, which covers 99.6% of the world's flight routes.

Panasonic Avionics is the first OneWeb partner to make its connectivity available through HBCplus.

The coverage and performance of Panasonic Avionics' connectivity solutions will improve the in-flight browsing and streaming experience for passengers on board Airbus aircraft and will open the door to new, low-latency airline passenger experiences.