• Highlights  
  1. Viasat plans to integrate Telesat Lightspeed LEO capacity into its JetXP service beginning in late 2027. 
  2. The multi-orbit architecture will combine GEO, LEO, and future HEO payloads for enhanced global coverage. 
  3. JetXP users will benefit from improved performance for applications like gaming, HD video conferencing, and cloud collaboration. 
  4. Customers will access multi-orbit connectivity under a single subscription on select JetXP plans. 
  5. Viasat will launch its AI-driven iQe scoring system next year to measure real-time in-flight connectivity quality. 

Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ:VSAT) announced a major advancement in its business aviation strategy with plans to integrate Low Earth Orbit satellite capacity from Telesat Lightspeed into the JetXP in-flight broadband service. The addition of LEO connectivity will complement Viasat’s existing high-throughput Geostationary Earth Orbit network, including the ViaSat-3 satellites, to expand performance, coverage and resilience for business jet operators. 

The JetXP platform is engineered to intelligently route data across GEO and LEO satellites in real time. This allows the network to automatically select the orbit that best supports specific performance needs, including low-latency applications such as interactive gaming, video conferencing, and cloud collaboration across multiple passenger devices. 

Viasat emphasized that this expansion reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to meeting evolving customer requirements. More than 5,000 business jets worldwide currently use Viasat’s connectivity solutions. 

Unified Offering and Next-Generation Antenna Integration 

One of the central elements of the new upgrade is Viasat’s plan to make multi-orbit capability available through a single JetXP subscription, avoiding the need for customers to manage multiple service contracts. To access LEO connectivity, operators will require an additional flat-panel Electronically Steered Antenna. This antenna is designed to integrate seamlessly with JetXP’s existing tail-mount systems while incorporating fewer Line Replaceable Units to simplify installation. 

Further technical details, subscription structures, and deployment timelines are expected to be revealed next year. Viasat leadership noted that GEO satellites will continue to support the long-term needs of many business aviation customers, offering wide-area coverage and cost-efficient bandwidth. However, certain mission profiles—such as those requiring extremely low latency—will benefit significantly from multi-orbit architecture. 

Viasat will also bring Arctic coverage to selected JetXP terminals next year through its Highly Elliptical Orbit payloads, expanding service to high-latitude flight routes. 

iQe to Redefine Measurement of Passenger Connectivity Experience 

Beginning next year, Viasat will introduce its In-flight Quality of Experience measurement framework. Purpose-built for business aviation, iQe usesartificial intelligenceand real-time analytics to evaluate a broad set of network performance factors. These include latency, jitter, packet loss and bandwidth—metrics the company says more accurately describe real passenger experience than peak-speed measurements alone. 

The results will be distilled into a single, intuitive Quality of Experience score for operators and flight crews. This approach aligns with findings from a recent MIT Sloan School of Management report, which argues that traditional speed-based metrics fail to capture the moments passengers care about most, such as uninterrupted participation in meetings or delay-free streaming. 

Conclusion 

Viasat’s integration of Telesat Lightspeed LEO capacity into JetXP marks a meaningful step forward for business aviation connectivity. By combining GEO, LEO and future HEO assets into a unified service, the company aims to deliver a more capable, flexible, and globally consistent in-flight experience. As demand grows for low-latency digital applications in the cabin, the JetXP multi-orbit model positions Viasat to meet the rising expectations of operators and passengers across the private aviation market.