By Ted Mann
High-end business jet travel is about to have more business.
A new satellite-based high-speed Internet package from Honeywell
International Inc. will provide nonstop Internet connection for
smooth video conferences and large data transfers when Bombardier
launches its Global aircraft -the longest-range of its business
jets- in 2015.
Honeywell's "JetWave" equipment will connect to a new data
network by satellite provider Inmarsat called "Jet ConneX,"
enabling higher data speeds and more comprehensive global access
for airborne Internet users.
Honeywell and Bombardier are aiming first at a thin, demanding
slice of the aviation market-executives whose travel schedules
involve multiple transcontinental flights but must be reachable at
all hours of the day. Current in-flight data connections even on
top business jets are patchy and slow in places-especially over
oceans.
"We're talking about not only global coverage, which is new,
we're offering data rate speeds which are multiple times higher
than what is offered today," said Brad Nolen, director of product
planning for Bombardier's business aircraft division.
What is good for the CEOs and private jet-setters of the
industry may someday prove good for the regular passengers, the
companies said. There are no firm plans yet to expand the program
to other lines of Bombardier's business aircraft, or to bring the
extra speed of the satellite system to commercial flights, but both
could happen in the future, said Mr. Nolen.
Bombardier hasn't decided if the system will be standard
equipment on new planes from the Global 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000
aircraft platforms. Bombardier and Honeywell will also offer the
program as a retrofit for roughly 500 existing aircraft.
Honeywell and Inmarsat announced in 2012 a 20-year deal to
connect fliers to high-speed Wi-Fi. Inmarsat said it would spend
$1.2 billion to build the satellite system, with service initially
slated to launch this year.
Honeywell is the exclusive provider of hardware, including
plane-mounted antennae, for the satellite company's connection
service, called Jet ConneX. The service will include a range of
data packages, with the lowest-priced option offering faster data
connections than any other satellite-based system. The companies
didn't immediately reveal pricing information.
That speed is enabled in part by the three dedicated Inmarsat
satellites that supply the data coverage, as well as service
enhancements for periods when the planes are over land.
Demand is strong, said Jack Jacobs, vice president of marketing
and product management at Honeywell Aerospace. "Everyone we've
talked to says, 'Please do this faster.' "