Certification of Honeywell's first airborne JetWave hardware for Boeing 757 marks start of global, high-speed Wi-Fi revolution
PHOENIX, Jan. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell Aerospace's (NYSE: HON) JetWave™ wireless in-flight connectivity system has received U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approval for the Boeing 757. Honeywell's JetWave is the exclusive hardware for aircraft to connect to Inmarsat's Global Xpress, the only high-speed broadband satellite network spanning the globe that will provide fast, seamless and reliable connectivity over both land and water.
The certification validates the reliability and capability of Honeywell's hardware to connect to Global Xpress (GX) Aviation service to provide passengers with the same high-speed Wi-Fi experience they get at home or in the office while traveling at 35,000 feet. JetWave and GX Aviation will enable fliers to have seamless access to onboard Wi-Fi to browse the Internet, check emails, stay connected on social media, watch videos and more, even on transcontinental flights. It also simplifies the path for U.S. government approval for the use of JetWave hardware on other aircraft.
"The ability to connect with others is not a luxury anymore; it's an expectation of both passengers and pilots alike," said Jack Jacobs, vice president of Safety and Connectivity at Honeywell Aerospace. "This first commercial certification for Honeywell's JetWave hardware is a leap forward in making the system available commercially and accelerating access to reliable and fast connectivity for airlines and passengers traveling across the world."
"Airlines have previously struggled to meet the expectations of modern-day passengers for reliable, efficient, high-speed connectivity on board flights due to the lack of available technology," said Leo Mondale, president of Inmarsat Aviation. "However, the entry into service of GX Aviation this year will mark an important turning point, allowing passengers in the air to browse the Internet, download files and watch videos online, just as they would on the ground. The certification of Honeywell's JetWave hardware is a key milestone in the program and we congratulate our partner on this achievement."
The certification of Honeywell's JetWave hardware was achieved following more than 180 flight hours and multiple rigorous tests aboard Honeywell's Boeing 757 test aircraft, which showed that the system would stay connected to Inmarsat's GX network at various altitudes, angles and speeds, through several different types of weather, and over land and water.
Broader access to onboard connectivity has increased in-flight productivity and completely changed the modern flight experience. With GX Aviation, passengers and pilots will have access to Wi-Fi speeds that bring the same experience using mobile devices aboard aircraft as on the ground.
About Inmarsat's Global Xpress satellite network
Inmarsat's new GX constellation, which is initially formed of three Ka-band, high-speed mobile broadband communications satellites, achieved global Commercial Service Introduction during December 2015. A fourth GX satellite — Inmarsat-5 F4 — is currently completing construction and testing by Boeing in California. This satellite is likely to be launched in the second half of 2016 to provide additional GX network capacity. During the course of this year, Inmarsat will be introducing a series of market-specific, high-speed connectivity services powered by GX, with GX Aviation poised to transform aviation connectivity as the first and only global broadband service designed and deployed for the aviation industry by a single operator.
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About Honeywell Aerospace
Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft, and its turbochargers are used by nearly every automaker and truck manufacturer around the world. The Aerospace business unit develops innovative solutions for more fuel-efficient automobiles and airplanes, more direct and on-time flights, safer flying and runway traffic, along with aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity services, logistics, and more. The business delivers safer, faster, and more efficient and comfortable transportation-related experiences worldwide. For more information, visit www.honeywell.com or follow us at @Honeywell_Aero and @Honeywell_Turbo.
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.
About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,600 staff in more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ISAT.L). For more information, please visit www.inmarsat.com.
The Inmarsat press release newsfeed and corporate updates are on @InmarsatGlobal.
Honeywell and the Honeywell logo are the exclusive properties of Honeywell, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other Honeywell product names, technology names, trademarks, service marks, and logos may be registered or pending registration in the U.S. or in other countries. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright 2016 Honeywell.
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SOURCE Honeywell Aerospace