Viasat today announced that its JetXP in‑flight broadband service will incorporate Telesat’s Lightspeed low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite capacity, creating a true multi‑orbit network that blends Viasat’s high‑throughput geostationary (GEO) satellites with LEO beams for the first time. The integration will allow JetXP customers to subscribe to a single, seamless service that automatically routes traffic between GEO and LEO assets in real time, reducing latency for applications such as interactive gaming, high‑definition video conferencing and real‑time cloud collaboration.
The Lightspeed constellation is scheduled to enter commercial service in late 2027 after a phased rollout that will begin with 198 satellites launched in 2026. Viasat plans to reveal a new flat‑panel electronically‑steered antenna (ESA) in 2026 that will enable aircraft to receive LEO signals without the need for large, mechanically steered dishes. JetXP is already active on more than 5,000 business jets worldwide, serving over 2,100 customers, and the addition of LEO capacity will extend coverage to routes that previously had limited or no service, while providing redundancy and lower latency across the network.
The move directly addresses competitive pressure from LEO‑based services such as SpaceX’s Starlink and Gogo’s Galileo. By offering a single subscription that leverages both GEO and LEO, Viasat can differentiate its product on bandwidth, reliability and latency, key metrics for business‑aviation customers. The multi‑orbit strategy also aligns with Viasat’s broader goal of delivering a capital‑efficient platform for both commercial and defense customers, leveraging the high‑throughput ViaSat‑3 GEO satellites that were launched in November 2025.
Financially, Viasat’s Q2 FY2025 results showed a net loss of $61.44 million on revenue of $1.140 billion, an improvement from the prior year’s $137.58 million loss. In Q3 FY2025, the company reported a net loss of $158 million on revenue of $1.12 billion, with an adjusted EBITDA of $393 million. Management guidance for FY2026 anticipates low single‑digit revenue growth and flat adjusted EBITDA, with positive free cash flow expected in FY2027. The LEO integration is positioned to open new revenue streams and support this growth trajectory by expanding service coverage and improving customer experience.
Don Buchman, Viasat’s Aviation President, emphasized that the LEO addition “enhances the experience for latency‑sensitive applications and provides an additional layer of redundancy.” Claudio D’Amico, Vice President of Strategic Market Engagement for Business Aviation, noted that the multi‑orbit capability “will allow us to serve customers on routes that previously had limited or no service, strengthening our competitive position.”
The integration of Lightspeed LEO capacity, coupled with the launch of ViaSat‑3 GEO satellites, signals Viasat’s commitment to technological innovation and market leadership. By combining high‑throughput GEO with low‑latency LEO, the company can offer a more robust, reliable, and lower‑latency connectivity solution that meets the demanding needs of business‑aviation customers while positioning itself for future expansion into defense and enterprise markets.
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