In-flight connectivity has become a buzz word in aviation industry with increasing roll-outs of wireless communication and entertainment devices on aircraft. Also, growing shift of airline passengers towards high-bandwidth application, especially travelling on long-haul flights is encouraging airline operators to introduce value-added services to enhance overall passenger experience. Further, increasing demand of onboard content services and introduction of favorable government initiatives to use personal electronic devices on aircraft, during all phases, is boosting growth of the market. The global in-flight connectivity market is projected to experience healthy CAGR of over 14% throughout the forecast period, 2021-2029. In contrast, high cost associated with deployment of connectivity hardware and data privacy and security threats are likely to impede market growth, especially in developing regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America to certain extent.

Report Scope

This report analyzes the global in-flight connectivity market in terms of type, hardware, service, technology, and geography. The global in-flight connectivity market has been segmented based on type into hardware and service. The hardware segment is further sub-segmented into antenna, LAN controller, access point, hotspot gateway and other hardware. Based on services, the market is bifurcated into connectivity and entertainment service. The sub-segment connectivity service includes consulting, implementation & integration, network designing & planning, and repair & maintenance service. On the basis of technology, the global in-flight connectivity market is segmented into satellite technology and air-to-ground technology. Also, based on satellite technology, the market is sub-segmented into Ka-band technology, Ku-band technology, and swiftbroadband (SBB) technology. The global in-flight connectivity market covers major geographies such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World.

Increasing inclination of airlines towards satellite-based networking technology and introduction of hybrid antenna have become emerging trends in the market. Also, surge in acquisition and mergers by major players to enter untapped market is intensifying competition in the market.

1.1    Report Description

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this strategic research study titled “Global In-Flight Connectivity Market - Growth, Share, Opportunities, and Competitive Analysis, 2021 – 2029” is to offer industry investors, company executives, and industry participants with in-depth insights to enable them make informed strategic decisions related to the opportunities in the global in-flight connectivity market.

Target Audience

• Industry Investors
• Connectivity Hardware Providers
• Onboard Content Service Providers
• Wi-Fi Connectivity Service Providers
• End-users

USP and Key Offerings

The report titled “Global In-Flight Connectivity Market- Growth, Share, Opportunities, and Competitive Analysis, 2021 – 2029” offers strategic insights into the global in-flight connectivity market along with the market size and estimates for the duration 2019 to 2029. The said research study covers in-depth analysis of multiple market segments based on type, hardware, service, technology, and cross-sectional study across different geographies. In order to help strategic decision makers, the report also includes competitive profiling of the leading in-flight connectivity hardware and service providers, their SCOT (Strength, Challenges, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, market positioning, and key developments. Other in-depth analysis provided in the report includes:

• Current and future market trends to justify the forthcoming attractive markets within the in-flight connectivity market
• Market fuelers, market impediments, and their impact on the market growth
• In-depth competitive environment analysis
• Ecosystem Analysis
• SRC (Segment-Region-Country) Analysis

Overall, the research study provides a holistic view of the global in-flight connectivity market, offering market size and estimates for the period from 2019 to 2029, keeping in mind the above mentioned factors.

On the basis of hardware, the global in-flight market is categorized into following sub-segments:

• Antenna
• LAN Controller
• Access Point
• Hotspot Gateway
• Other Hardware 

As of 2020, antenna was the dominant sub-segment among all types of hardware in the global in-flight connectivity market, accounting for over half of the overall market. Additionally, the sub-segment is expected to continue its dominance by 2029. This is mainly attributed to increasing demand of hybrid antenna utilizing both air-to-ground and satellite-based technologies. However, wireless access point sub-segment is projected to exhibit strong growth in terms of CAGR between 2021 and 2023. Ongoing technological advancements and introduction of various standards by IEEE to bring innovation and enhance security in wireless devices is increasing the deployment of wireless access point.

On the basis of Service, the global in-flight connectivity market is categorized into following sub-segments:

• Entertainment
• Connectivity
  • Consulting
  • Implementation & Integration
  • Networking Designing & Planning
  • Repair & Maintenance 

Among services, the connectivity service was the largest segment, constituting over 60% of the overall market in 2020. With increasing deployment of communication devices and networking technologies on aircraft, demand for major connectivity services such as implementation & integration is growing at a significant pace. Additionally, the connectivity service segment is projected to witness highest CAGR from 2021 to 2029. Of connectivity service sub-segments, the repair & maintenance service sub-segment is anticipated to exhibit fastest growth in terms of revenue over the forecast period. Communication systems and devices require support services, primarily repair & maintenance services at regular intervals.

On the basis of technology, the global in-flight connectivity market is categorized into following segments:

• Air-to-Ground Technology
• Satellite Technology
  • Ka-band
  • Ku-band
  • SBB 

As of 2020, the global in-flight connectivity market was dominated by air-to-ground technology segment. The air-to-ground technology segment accounted for over two-fourth of the global in-flight connectivity market revenue in the same year. However, the satellite technology segment is likely to outpace the air-to-ground technology segment by the end of 2029. Increasing shift of major airlines in developed regions such as North America and Western Europe towards Ku-band and Ka-band satellite technology is anticipated to create favorable opportunities for prominent satellite networking technology service providers in the near future. 

In 2020, North America was the largest regional market with more than 50% market share, followed by Europe. This growth is mainly attributed to rising adoption of hybrid networking technologies by airlines to offer enhanced onboard internet services to passenger. Also, introduction of favorable policies by Federal Aviation Administration to use personal electronic devices on aircraft is expected to fuel market growth in the near future in the region. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to emerge as a lucrative market, expanding at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by increasing awareness regarding benefits of in-flight networking technologies among airlines.

Historical & Forecast Period

This study report represents analysis of each segment from 2022 to 2032 considering 2023 as the base year. Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for each of the respective segments estimated for the forecast period of 2024 to 2032.

The current report comprises of quantitative market estimations for each micro market for every geographical region and qualitative market analysis such as micro and macro environment analysis, market trends, competitive intelligence, segment analysis, porters five force model, top winning strategies, top investment markets, emerging trends and technological analysis, case studies, strategic conclusions and recommendations and other key market insights.

Research Methodology

The complete research study was conducted in three phases, namely: secondary research, primary research, and expert panel review. key data point that enables the estimation of In-Flight Connectivity market are as follows:

• Research and development budgets of manufacturers and government spending
• Revenues of key companies in the market segment
• Number of end users and consumption volume, price and value.
• Geographical revenues generate by countries considered in the report
• Micro and macro environment factors that are currently influencing the In-Flight Connectivity market and their expected impact during the forecast period.

Market forecast was performed through proprietary software that analyzes various qualitative and quantitative factors. Growth rate and CAGR were estimated through intensive secondary and primary research. Data triangulation across various data points provides accuracy across various analyzed market segments in the report. Application of both top down and bottom-up approach for validation of market estimation assures logical, methodical and mathematical consistency of the quantitative data.

Key questions answered in this report

• What are the key micro and macro environmental factors that are impacting the growth of In-Flight Connectivity market?
• What are the key investment pockets with respect to product segments and geographies currently and during the forecast period?
• Estimated forecast and market projections up to 2032.
• Which segment accounts for the fastest CAGR during the forecast period?
• Which market segment holds a larger market share and why?
• Are low and middle-income economies investing in the In-Flight Connectivity market?
• Which is the largest regional market for In-Flight Connectivity market?
• What are the market trends and dynamics in emerging markets such as Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa?
• Which are the key trends driving In-Flight Connectivity market growth?
• Who are the key competitors and what are their key strategies to enhance their market presence in the In-Flight Connectivity market worldwide?