Embraer and satellite communications provider Intelsat have announced a partnership to equip the E2 family of aircraft with Intelsat’s multi-orbit inflight connectivity (IFC) system, featuring Electronically Steered Array (ESA) antenna technology.A key benefit for airlines is that the system will be available as a line-fit option—installed during aircraft production—by the end of this year. This means passengers can connect from the moment a new E2 aircraft enters service.The partnership enables the direct installation of Intelsat’s multi-orbit IFC system with ESA antenna on Embraer’s production line. The system delivers speeds of up to 275 Mbps, aiming to offer passengers an onboard experience similar to home broadband—ideal for streaming, browsing, and working inflight.For airlines operating or ordering Embraer E2 aircraft, factory installation significantly reduces aircraft downtime and logistical challenges associated with retrofit installations.“The factory installation of Intelsat’s ESA is a great example of how we’re helping our customers enhance the passenger experience from day one,” said Martyn Holmes, CCO of Embraer Commercial Aviation. “Reliable, high-speed connectivity is a key opportunity to improve the onboard experience.”Rob Baird, Director of OEM Programs at Intelsat, added, “Passengers flying on Embraer E2 jets will soon enjoy the same high-speed internet access in the sky as they do at home, thanks to our broad coverage and low latency.”<figure class="image"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2025/04/esa_antena_embraer_e2.jpeg" alt="ESA Antena Embraer E2"></figure><h3>Understanding the Technology: What Is an Electronically Steered Array (ESA) Antenna?</h3>A standout element of the partnership is Intelsat’s ESA—Electronically Steered Array—antenna. Unlike mechanically steered antennas (MSA) that physically pivot to track satellites, ESA technology works differently:<ul><li>Electronic Steering: Uses phase-shifting technology to steer the radio beam electronically, eliminating the need for large moving parts.</li><li>Greater Reliability: Fewer mechanical components mean reduced failure risk and lower maintenance requirements compared to MSAs.</li><li>Faster Satellite Tracking: ESAs can rapidly switch between satellites, making them ideal for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, where satellites move quickly relative to the aircraft. This ensures more consistent connectivity.</li></ul>Slim Profile and Efficiency: ESA antennas are flatter and lighter. Intelsat’s ESA is under 3 inches (7.6 cm) in height, helping reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency, aligning with the sustainability goals of the Embraer E2.<h3>The Multi-Orbit Advantage</h3>ESA technology is essential to Intelsat’s multi-orbit strategy, which combines Geostationary (GEO) satellites—ideal for stable, high-capacity coverage over fixed regions—with LEO satellites, which offer global coverage, including over polar routes, and lower latency for a more responsive connection.The ESA antenna seamlessly manages connections between these satellite types, optimizing performance based on location and network availability.

Embraer and Intelsat Partner to Equip E2 Jets with Multi-Orbit, High-Speed Inflight Connectivity

Tim Clark, president of Emirates, urged Airbus to consider bringing back the iconic A380 with an updated design, arguing that the aircraft still holds a relevant place in modern aviation if its efficiency and sustainability are improved.In statements to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-a380-makeover-resume-production-emirates-airline-tim-clark-2025-1">Business Insider</a>, Clark said: "If we put $20 billion on the table for Airbus, they would probably build it for us," suggesting that the European manufacturer might consider a revamped version of the aircraft if it receives firm order commitments.The Airbus A380, which ceased production in 2021 after 18 years of manufacturing, was initially conceived as a superjumbo for high-demand routes. However, its high operating costs and the market shift toward smaller, more efficient aircraft led to just 251 orders from 14 airlines.Emirates, the largest operator of this model, has a fleet of 118 A380s, far surpassing the second-largest operator, Singapore Airlines, which has only 13.Despite this, the A380 has experienced a resurgence post-pandemic. Airlines such as Lufthansa and Etihad have reactivated parts of their fleets, while Global Airlines, a British startup, has acquired an A380 for flights between London and New York.Clark suggests that a modernized A380 could be up to 25% more fuel-efficient, thanks to lighter materials, improved aerodynamics, and more advanced engines such as Rolls-Royce's UltraFan technology.According to Clark, the A380 remains "probably the most profitable asset" for Emirates, and a renewed version would make it more competitive in operational and environmental terms. He also argues that the aircraft could help alleviate congestion at key airports such as Heathrow (London), JFK (New York), Charles de Gaulle (Paris), and Frankfurt, by accommodating 500 passengers per flight, optimizing the use of limited slots.<h3>The A380 and Its Popularity Among Passengers</h3>One of the A380’s key advantages is its size, offering greater comfort and reduced noise compared to other widebody aircraft, especially on its upper deck. Additionally, its capacity has allowed airlines like Emirates to provide luxurious amenities, including onboard bars and showers in first class.However, its enormous capacity also presents a challenge. To be profitable, it needs to operate on ultra-high-demand routes, a model well-suited to Emirates' hub-and-spoke system, which connects flights through Dubai, but one that did not work for airlines in North or South America, where no A380 orders were placed.<h3>A Future for the Superjumbo?</h3>As air travel demand rises, Clark believes the A380 could be pivotal in managing congestion at major airports. However, he acknowledges that risk and a lack of commitment from other airline executives could pose obstacles to its return.For now, Airbus has not commented on the possibility of restarting A380 production. But with operators like Emirates pushing the idea and a market facing capacity constraints, the discussion about the superjumbo’s return remains open.

A380neo? Emirates pushes for a modernized version of Airbus' SuperJumbo

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) announced the implementation of free high-speed Wi-Fi on all its flights, thanks to SpaceX's Starlink technology. This system uses a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit to provide low-latency internet to passengers in all classes. The rollout will begin at the end of 2025 and will be available at no cost for EuroBonus members.Starlink enables stable and continuous connection in remote and challenging areas such as the Atlantic, the North Pole, and the North Sea, overcoming the limitations of conventional systems.“We are connecting our passengers to the world like never before,” said Paul Verhagen, Chief Commercial Officer of SAS. “This advancement ends the usual interruptions, offering a seamless experience from boarding to disembarking.”The new system will work from the moment passengers board until the end of the flight, eliminating the usual disconnections during takeoff and landing.Jason Fritch, Vice President of Starlink Sales at SpaceX, highlighted that the system provides connectivity comparable to or better than that of households, even in historically problematic areas like the Atlantic. The service will allow passengers to use multiple devices simultaneously, such as phones, tablets, and laptops, ensuring uninterrupted productivity and entertainment.The rollout of the free high-speed Wi-Fi will begin progressively at the end of 2025.

Starlink Effect: SAS will offer free high-speed Wi-Fi across its entire fleet starting in 2025

Copa Airlines, Panama's flag carrier and a member of Star Alliance, has partnered with Smartvel, a provider of global content solutions. This collaboration will enable the airline to offer real-time travel information on entry requirements for the 85 destinations it serves across Central America, South America, North America, and the Caribbean.Smartvel's advanced technology will integrate into Copa Airlines' website and mobile app, providing travelers with up-to-date information on health and visa requirements. The system relies on continuous monitoring of official government websites to ensure data is accurate and current.Diego Morales, Director of Customer Experience at Copa Airlines, emphasized: “The traveler experience and communication with our customers are key priorities. With this tool, we can deliver reliable and real-time information to passengers traveling to any of the 32 countries we operate in.”The solution from Smartvel will be tailored to Copa Airlines' needs and includes options to offer additional services, such as travel insurance and visa assistance, through its network of strategic partners.Iñigo Valenzuela, CEO of Smartvel, noted: “This partnership strengthens our position in the industry and allows Copa Airlines to deliver a smoother travel experience backed by reliable and constantly updated information.”This multilingual service aims to simplify the planning process and ensure compliance with entry requirements, enhancing convenience for Copa Airlines passengers.

Real-time travel info: Copa Airlines integrates Smartvel's technology

Scientists at <a href="https://www.sandia.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sandia National Laboratories</a> are developing extremely accurate motion sensors based on quantum navigation principles. This new technology could revolutionize the way weapons systems orient themselves in space, particularly in degraded or blocked GPS signal environments.
Take apart a smartphone, fitness tracker or virtual reality headset, and inside you&#8217;ll find a tiny motion sensor that tracks your position and movement. Larger, more expensive versions of the same technology, about the size of a grapefruit and a thousand times more accurate, help navigate ships, planes and other vehicles with the aid of satellite navigation.
Sandia is trying to create a motion sensor so accurate that it could minimize dependence on global positioning satellites. Until recently, such a sensor, a thousand times more sensitive than current navigation devices, would have been as big as a truck. But advances in miniaturization are dramatically reducing the size and cost of this technology.
The team of scientists used silicon photonic microchip components (much smaller and more efficient than traditional systems) to perform a quantum sensing technique called atomic interferometry, an ultra-precise way of measuring acceleration. It is the latest milestone toward developing a kind of quantum compass for navigation when GPS signals are unavailable.
<h3>Military applications and beyond</h3>
The new technology offers acceleration and angular velocity measurement accuracy that far surpasses current navigation systems. This is because it takes advantage of quantum phenomena to make extremely sensitive measurements. In a war zone (as happens daily in Ukraine) electronic warfare units are able to jam or spoof satellite signals to disrupt troop movements and operations, or significantly degrade the accuracy of GPS or GLONASS-guided weapons.
<figure id="attachment_333064" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-333064" style="width: 509px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/GNSS.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-333064 size-full" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/GNSS.jpg" alt="" width="519" height="686" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/08/GNSS.jpg 519w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/08/GNSS-227x300.jpg 227w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/08/GNSS-150x198.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 519px) 100vw, 519px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-333064" class="wp-caption-text">Image: C4ADS</figcaption></figure>

But if the Sandia Labs science team succeeds in its goal, most of the large and expensive precision navigation systems in use today will be replaced by the new, more accurate, lower-cost, computer-chip-sized quantum inertial measurement units. Drones, munitions, aircraft, missiles, and many other weapons systems may no longer rely so heavily on the satellite navigation signal to accurately know their position on the ground.
In addition to navigation, the miniaturization and cost reduction of this technology make it attractive to the commercial sector. Companies in a variety of sectors could benefit from this new device, as it has a wide range of potential applications, such as the detection of subterranean cavities, the location of natural resources and the development of more advanced optical communication systems.

Technology

Embraer and Intelsat Partner to Equip E2 Jets with Multi-Orbit, High-Speed Inflight Connectivity

A380neo? Emirates pushes for a modernized version of Airbus' SuperJumbo

Starlink Effect: SAS will offer free high-speed Wi-Fi across its entire fleet starting in 2025

Real-time travel info: Copa Airlines integrates Smartvel's technology

More accurate than GPS: U.S. develops quantum navigation chips immune to electronic warfare