SES Launches Multi-Orbit In-Flight Connectivity Deployment on Air Astana A321LR Fleet

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 29, the multi-orbit in-flight connectivity service deployed by SES (a Luxembourg-based satellite communications operator) for the Air Astana (the flag carrier of Kazakhstan) A321LR fleet entered commercial operation. The first retrofitted aircraft, registration number EI-KGB, operated the Almaty–Tashkent route that day; the fleet comprises 13 A321LR aircraft in total, with installation work scheduled to be completed in phases within 2027.

The service is provided by SES as fully managed in-flight connectivity, with local support from QMobile (formerly Jusan Mobile), a Kazakh telecommunications and technology company. Passengers access the service in the cabin through the airline's branded portal: during the promotional period from October 29, 2026 to January 31, 2027, all passengers may use the service free of charge; from February 1, 2027, business class passengers and Nomad Club Gold and Diamond members will continue to enjoy free access, while other passengers may purchase paid data packages, and all members may use instant messaging applications free of charge.

The onboard terminal uses SES's next-generation electronically scanned array (ESA) antenna. SES has developed standardized ESA flat-panel arrays for multi-orbit in-flight connectivity in two sizes: 25×25 cm and 50×50 cm, designed for a maximum per-aircraft throughput rate of up to 1 Gbps. Unlike mechanically steered antennas, ESA can simultaneously track multiple satellites in different orbits, for example using SES medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites to carry high-capacity data and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to carry low-latency applications.