Rendering of the A350-1000 Delta planes. Photo: Airbus

Hughes Network Systems has won a new deal with Delta Air Lines to provide in-flight connectivity (IFC) for select new delivery Airbus 350 and Airbus 321neo aircraft. 

Hughes will equip the aircraft with its Hughes Fusion “simultaneous multi-orbit IFC solution” which blends Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellite capacity. 

This is in addition to Hughes’ existing deal to equip 400 Boeing 717 and regional jets with IFC for Delta, announced in late 2023. Delta has elected to put the Fusion system on new delivery Boeing 717 aircraft. Hughes said the solution will be introduced onboard Delta’s 717 aircraft in the second half of this year. 

Fusion is a Hughes technology the company introduced in the consumer broadband market a few years ago that routes data packets through different paths depending on requirements. 

Reza Rasoulian, senior vice president and general manager of Hughes Aviation explained that Fusion IFC simultaneously utilizes capacity from different orbits and bands to give passengers the best connectivity. He said using two satellite networks simultaneously offers lower risk and improved performance. 

Glenn Latta, managing director for Delta called it an “industry-first solution.” 

“Using multiple antennas, we can now dynamically deliver the best experience for customers based on location, demand and network conditions,” Latta commented. “Our partnership with Hughes to design, test, and refine this next generation connectivity solution gives us critical and unique insight into how the next generation experience will be unlocked in the years ahead.”