A Delta Air Lines Airbus jet. (Photo by Airbus)

Airbus will equip 20 of Delta Air Lines‘ upcoming A350-1000 aircraft with a multi-orbit in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution co-developed by Delta and satellite operator Hughes under the terms of a new partnership contract announced Tuesday. The solution leverages Airbus’ HBCplus, which is offered as a linefit or retrofit catalog option for airlines. The deal makes Delta Air Lines the first North American customer for Airbus’ HBCplus linefit offering. Deliveries of the new A350-1000 aircraft will begin in 2027.

Airbus designed HBCplus to enable airlines to connect to a choice of managed service providers (MSPs) via a certified terminal and radome built as part of the aircraft. HBCplus “modular” is the next-generation HBCplus which can accommodate up to two antennas and connect to multiple satellite systems, which allows airlines to choose and update their vendor with an overnight retrofit. Airbus said it will be working with Delta to explore the new HBCplus “modular” approach and potential integration with Delta’s Sync platform to enhance the airline’s passenger connectivity experience and operational performance.

Airbus said its HBCplus will serve as the foundation for the aircraft integration with Hughes’ simultaneous multi-orbit “Fusion” IFC product under the deal with Delta.  For the Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) portion of Hughes’ Fusion solution, Airbus said it would support Delta in post delivery modifications to complement the linefit installation with an electronically steered array (ESA) antenna.

“Connectivity is at the heart of passenger expectations today, as well as a key enabler to improving aircraft operations. This project is the epitome of our long-time relationship with Delta Air Lines, and a great example of industrial collaboration,” Airbus Vice President and Head of Connected Aircraft Tim Sommer said in the announcement.

Delta Air Lines’ Director of Cabin Programs Joseph Eddy added, “Leveraging Airbus’ industry leading systems integration and engineering capabilities, to integrate our Hughes’ multi-orbit IFC solution, is a natural partnership that is already bringing real value to our delivery streams.”

Delta’s IFC expansion and roll-out strategy has been picking up pace this year. Just last month, Hughes won a contract from Delta to provide in-flight connectivity (IFC) for select new delivery Airbus 350 and Airbus 321neo aircraft.  Hughes was already equipping 400 Boeing 717 and regional jets with IFC for Delta, under a 2023 contract, when it was tasked to install the Fusion system on new delivery Boeing 717 aircraft  in the second half of this year.

Delta is also choosing an IFC business model that involves multiple partners. In late March, the airline signed on with Amazon Leo to expand its in-flight connectivity offerings, announcing plans to roll out Amazon Leo IFC service starting with 500 planes in 2028.

Delta operates the world’s largest passenger fleet consisting of multiple types of aircraft. Its fleet includes the Airbus A220, Boeing 717, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, and Airbus A330 aircraft. The airline’s average fleet age is about 15 years.