Viasat Launches Amara: Next Generation In-Flight Connectivity Solution to Deliver a Connected Experience Unique to Each Airline

Viasat simultaneously introduces Amara-compatible, proprietary electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal, Viasat Aera

/EIN News/ -- CARLSBAD, Calif., April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications and the market leader in In-flight Connectivity (IFC), announced its next-generation solution for commercial aviation, Viasat Amara. Powering the new IFC solution are innovations in core satellite network design, hardware advancements, and a suite of digital products. Coupled with additional features, including smart network enhancements and application-level data linking to satellites in multiple orbits, Viasat Amara is designed with powerful scalability so airlines can differentiate a future-proof onboard passenger experience.

“Viasat Amara goes far beyond fast and free high-speed Wi-Fi,” said Don Buchman, SVP & GM, Global Commercial Aviation, Viasat. “It’s a cutting-edge solution designed to meet the unique needs of each airline and every individual user – and in real-time across a smart multi-orbit network. Our pioneering mission remains to help our airline customers maximize connectivity’s enormous potential for brand, loyalty, and growth.”

Building on the company’s market leadership, Viasat Amara combines proven technology and capabilities with an innovation roadmap that integrates multi-network, multi-orbit systems with guaranteed quality of service, flexible business models, and a suite of best-in-class digital products.

Next-generation hardware innovation, Viasat Aera
Viasat Amara offers optimized, multi-network connectivity today via a simple software upgrade with Viasat’s proven terminal, which is deployed on more than 3,000* aircraft around the world servicing approximately 10,000 flights per day. No additional hardware is required.

As part of its forward-looking terminal roadmap, Viasat is also announcing a proprietary electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal, Viasat Aera. This will unlock simultaneous, dual-beam connections across satellites in GEO, HEO, and LEO, enabling a best-in-class IFC experience to airlines and their passengers with a single antenna. The new terminal is under development and is devised to dynamically adapt connectivity in a way that capitalizes on the strengths of all available transmission assets, delivering a streamlined experience for each application in use across the global network.

Expected for commercial service in 2028, upgrading to the new Viasat Aera terminal is designed to be achieved in less than a day by re-using the ARINC 791 antenna attach points with no change to the in-cabin network.

Unique passenger experiences, powered by multi-orbit
On Viasat Amara’s roadmap are innovations that unlock opportunities in every orbit, with GEO, HEO, and LEO satellite compatibility, by integrating a robust, high-capacity ecosystem of Viasat and partner satellites. This includes the recently announced LEO Ka-band capacity from Telesat Lightspeed.

Viasat Amara will deliver high-capacity, high-quality service with truly global coverage, connectivity that is engineered to scale with the increasing demands of commercial airlines and support rapid multi-network, multi-orbit evolution. This ongoing innovation continues Viasat’s pioneering track record of raising the bar for its enterprise grade service and guaranteed, high quality passenger experience with leading per unit economics, regardless of ever-increasing passenger adoption rates and usage patterns.

“Viasat Amara will help our airline customers achieve their greatest ambitions – creating long-lasting competitive advantage and meaningful passenger experiences and loyalty,” added Meherwan Polad, SVP & CCO, Viasat Commercial Services. “Airlines can truly take hold of the differentiating opportunities that in-flight connectivity presents. The monetization and brand boosting opportunities provided by our powerful digital products, such as Viasat Ads, accentuate this even further. Amara will forever change what connectivity brings to airlines and their passengers – and we’re excited to work alongside our airline partners to realize their unique goals.”

Viasat believes no two airlines are the same. As such, Viasat Amara additionally supports the company’s industry-leading suite of digital products and services, which allow for flexible business models focused on what airlines care most about: increasing customer satisfaction, loyalty, and profitable growth.

For more information about Viasat Amara, please visit: https://www.viasat.com/aviation/commercial-aviation/own-your-space/

*Source: Valour Consultancy

About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, and YouTube.

Copyright © 2025 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered trademarks in the U.S. and in other countries of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. 

Viasat, Inc. Contacts:
Scott Goryl, External Communications, Corporate & Aviation, Scott.Goryl@viasat.com
Lisa Curran/Peter Lopez, Investor Relations, IR@viasat.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements related to Viasat’s next-generation In-flight connectivity solution, Viasat Amara; future innovations in satellite network design, hardware, and digital products; capabilities to conduct application-level data linking to satellites in multiple orbits; the continued development and availability of multi-network, multi-orbit systems with guaranteed quality of service; the availability of capacity on partner satellites; and the timing, availability, features and benefits of Viasat’s future electronically steered antenna terminal, Viasat Aera, and its ability to dynamically adapt connectivity across a global network. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: our ability to successfully implement our business plan for our broadband services on our anticipated timeline or at all; risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of satellite, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; contractual problems; product defects; manufacturing issues or delays; regulatory issues; changes in relationships with, or the financial condition of, key suppliers; technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations; and other factors affecting the aviation sector generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Viasat's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Viasat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.