Summary:
- Volotea and Immfly launch next-gen inflight connectivity with Gogo ESA antenna on Eutelsat LEO satellite for high-speed, low-latency performance.
- Trial installation planned for 2026, enabling seamless upgrade to high-speed connectivity with minimal hardware impact.
- Fleet-wide rollout of narrowband connectivity to support messaging, operational services, and enhanced onboard retail by 2026.
Volotea and Immfly have announced the first installation of a next‑generation high‑speed connectivity solution, operating a Gogo ESA antenna on the Eutelsat LEO satellite constellation. This milestone brings a new level of inflight connectivity performance to passengers, enhances operational efficiency, and underpins Volotea’s move to a unified, data‑driven onboard ecosystem.
The pioneering installation, currently planned for the second half of 2026, will be performed on an aircraft that already carries Immfly’s Equilux onboard server and wireless inflight entertainment platform. This configuration enables a seamless upgrade path to high‑speed, low‑latency connectivity while preserving the aircraft’s existing digital services and minimising additional hardware impact. The 12‑month trial is designed to validate operational and commercial uplift from high‑bandwidth services in a live environment.
In parallel, Immfly and Volotea are preparing a fleet‑wide rollout of Immfly’s Iridium‑based narrowband connectivity solution across the airline’s Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, with the first antenna targeted for installation in Q3 2026. This narrowband capability will support passenger messaging, including WhatsApp, as well as critical operational services across the network, complementing the high‑speed trial and ensuring continuity of digital services regardless of route or aircraft.
With narrowband connectivity in place fleet-wide, Volotea and Immfly will advance into the next phase of their digital evolution, introducing a fully integrated retail programme that will redefine the onboard shopping experience across the network. The retail roadmap, planned for the second half of 2026, includes a crew EPOS solution, a new back‑office system powered by Immfly’s enhanced data intelligence, and passenger‑facing features such as pre‑order and in‑seat ordering, developed in parallel and rolled out in phases to ensure a cohesive, unified retail experience.
All capabilities are designed to work with both narrowband and high‑speed connectivity, unlocking richer content, faster and more secure transactions, improved ancillary revenue, and more efficient digital cabin operations.
“This partnership milestone reflects the shared ambition between Immfly and Volotea to redefine what passengers can expect onboard,” said Pablo Linz, CEO and Co-founder, Immfly. “By combining narrowband and high‑speed LEO connectivity, next‑generation retail, and a full hardware upgrade, we’re enabling a step‑change in digital performance across the fleet. Volotea has been a trusted partner for more than a decade, and we’re proud to continue to support their vision with our most advanced solutions yet.”
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