FlightWifiSES / Open Orbits in-flight Wi-Fi
The only operator flying a medium-orbit fleet, O3b mPOWER. MEO sits between GEO capacity and LEO latency, usually quick enough for a live call.
- Orbit
- Medium Earth orbit (MEO) + GEO
- Typical latency
- roughly 120-150 ms on MEO
How it works
- ·O3b mPOWER satellites orbit at ~8,000 km, cutting the round trip well below GEO.
- ·Sold to airlines through the Open Orbits alliance and partner integrators.
- ·Multi-orbit terminals blend GEO capacity with MEO latency.
Airlines flying SES / Open Orbits (8)
| Airline | Where | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Avianca | A319, A320, A321 | Varies by aircraft |
| China Southern | A350 | Email & browsing |
| GOL | Fleet rollout | Email & browsing |
| Japan Airlines | 737 | Email & browsing |
| LATAM | A319, A320, A321 | Email & browsing |
| Saudia | Fleet rollout | Varies by aircraft |
| Thai Airways | Fleet rollout | Email & browsing |
| Viva Aerobus | A320, A321 | Fast enough for calls |
Announced or planned (4)
SES / Open Orbits questions
Is SES / Open Orbits Wi-Fi fast enough for video calls?
Generally yes. SES / Open Orbits runs at roughly 120-150 ms on MEO latency, close enough to ground broadband for live video, though some airlines still ban calls as cabin policy.
Which airlines use SES / Open Orbits?
As of August 2026, 8 airlines in the registry are flying SES / Open Orbits: Avianca, China Southern, GOL, Japan Airlines, LATAM, Saudia, Thai Airways, Viva Aerobus. Another 4 have announced or planned it.
See these verdicts while you book
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