Connected Aircraft Market Report 2026

Connected Aircraft Market Overview

• Connected Aircraft market size has reached to $9.11 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $17.94 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3% • Growth Driver: Increasing Air Passenger Travel Fuels The Growth Of The Connected Aircraft Market • Market Trend: Advancement Of Avionics-Connectivity Datalink Systems To Enhance Aircraft Connectivity And Operational Efficiency • North America was the largest region and fastest growing region.

What Is Covered Under Connected Aircraft Market?

Connected aircraft refers to solutions that are designed to transform modern-day flying by integrating satellite components, aeroplane hardware, airtime connectivity, and on- and off-board apps and services to alter the way people communicate in the aviation. It is used to provide seamless connections between the aircraft and the ground and to increase flight efficiency, safety and to enhance the passenger experience. The main types of connected aircraft are systems and solutions. The systems are used to support operations such as data management systems, and satellite communication systems. Systems in the connected aircraft market refer to electronic devices that serve some purpose of bringing fuel, air, and ignition together in an aircraft engine for combustion and that provide basic tracking devices, installed communication devices, and high-capacity multitasking systems. The connectivity types are inflight connectivity, air-to-air connectivity, and air-to-ground connectivity, which uses frequency bands such as Ka-band, Ku-band, L-band, which are applied in commercial and military purposes.

What Is The Connected Aircraft Market Growth Forecast?

The connected aircraft market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.94 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing integration of next-generation broadband satellite networks enabling higher data throughput, increasing adoption of predictive analytics and connected aircraft platforms for real-time fleet management, expansion of digital ecosystems linking ground operations with airborne systems for seamless command and control, rising demand for cyber-secure communication architectures to protect aviation data flows, development of AI-enabled on-board applications enhancing operational decision-making and passenger experience. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of real-time flight analytics, enhanced in-flight passenger connectivity solutions, predictive maintenance using connected sensors, aircraft-to-ground communication optimization, cloud-based fleet management solutions.

Global Connected Aircraft Market Segmentation

1) By Type: Systems, Solutions 2) By Connectivity: Inflight Connectivity, Air-To-Air Connectivity, Air-To-Ground Connectivity 3) By Frequency Band: Ka-band, Ku-band, L-band 4) By Application: Commercial, Military Subsegments: 1) By Systems: Communication Systems, Navigation Systems, Surveillance Systems, Flight Management Systems, 2) By Solutions: Aircraft Health Monitoring Solutions, In-Flight Connectivity Solutions, Data Analytics Solutions, Crew Management Solutions.

What Is Driver Of The Connected Aircraft Market?

An increase in air passenger travel is expected to propel the growth of the connected aircraft market going forward. Air travel refers to the process of boarding an aircraft for the purpose of travelling from one location to another by any flying object. The increase in air passenger travel is resulting in airline companies making the addition of aircraft to their fleets to cater to the needs of the air passengers. For instance, in November 2024, according to Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based statistical office of the European Union (EU), in 2023, air travel in the EU rose significantly, with 973 million passengers, marking a 19.3% increase compared to 2022. Therefore, the increase in air passenger travel is driving the growth of the connected aircraft industry.

Key Players In The Global Connected Aircraft Market

Major companies operating in the connected aircraft market are Honeywell International Inc., Gogo Inc., Thales Group, Inmarsat PLC, Collins Aerospace, Viasat Inc., BAE Systems PLC, The Boeing Company, Airbus SE, Bombardier Aviation, Kontron AG, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, Nelco Ltd., Eutelsat S.A., Zodiac Aerospace, L3Harris Technologies, Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques, Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., Cobham Aerospace Communications, Astronics Corporation, SmartSky Networks LLC, Intelsat S.A., Iridium Communications Inc., AeroVironment Inc., Avionica Inc., Satcom Direct Inc., Airspan Networks Inc., Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., Phasor Inc.

Global Connected Aircraft Market Trends and Insights

Major companies operating in the connected aircraft market are focusing on developing advanced product features such as avionics-connectivity datalink systems to enhance operational efficiency and aircraft owner or operator experience. Avionics-connectivity datalink systems enable an aircraft to communicate wirelessly via cellular (4G LTE) or Wi-Fi networks with ground systems or cloud services, automating data download, enabling remote monitoring of systems and logs, and reducing reliance on manual updating. For instance, in July 2023, Garmin, a US-based technology company, launched PlaneSync for retrofit installations featuring a 4G LTE or Wi-Fi link through its new GDL 60 datalink that enables automatic database downloads to the aircraft, remote aircraft system-status monitoring via the Garmin Pilot app or D2 Mach 1 smartwatch, and compatibility with its GTN Xi navigators, TXi flight displays, and GI 275 electronic flight instruments. It also includes the capability (coming early 2024) to automatically transmit engine and flight-log data to secure cloud storage after landing, thus streamlining pre-flight and post-flight activities for owners or operators.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Connected Aircraft Market? Viasat Inc. Acquires Inmarsat To Enhance Satellite Communication And Inflight Connectivity Services

In May 2023, Viasat Inc., a US-based communications company specializing in satellite internet services, networking systems, and secure communications, acquired Inmarsat for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Viasat Inc. aims to enhance satellite communication capabilities and provide better inflight connectivity services for both commercial and military aircraft. Inmarsat is a UK-based mobile satellite communication company, that provides connected aircraft services.

Regional Insights

North America was the largest region in the connected aircraft market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the connected aircraft market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in this market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in this market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

What Defines the Connected Aircraft Market?

The market includes revenues earned by entities providing real-time information, ground and airborne command information, controlled communication services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

How is Market Value Defined and Measured?

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified). The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

What Key Data and Analysis Are Included in the Connected Aircraft Market Report 2026?

The connected aircraft market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides market statistics, including industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the market share, detailed market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the connected aircraft industry. The market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.