Finnair Taps SES for Multi-Orbit WiFi Across 18 Embraer E195-E2s

Finnair will equip 18 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft with multi-orbit inflight connectivity under a new agreement with satellite operator SES, with the first connected aircraft expected to enter service in 2027.

The deal pairs SES' geostationary (GEO — satellites orbiting at roughly 36,000 km, suited to stable wide-area coverage) capacity with low-earth-orbit (LEO) capacity supplied through SES' partner Eutelsat and its OneWeb constellation. For sellers of travel and airline ancillary teams, the significance is commercial as much as technical: multi-orbit architectures are becoming the default procurement choice for carriers that want WiFi robust enough to support paid streaming, remote work and onboard retail rather than basic messaging.

How the deployment works

The aircraft will be line-fitted at Embraer — installed during production rather than retrofitted — with SES' electronically steered array (ESA) antenna. An ESA shifts its beam between satellites electronically, allowing one flat-panel antenna to track both GEO and LEO spacecraft and switch between them in flight. That design is what lets Finnair combine the wide coverage of GEO with the lower latency (reduced signal delay) of LEO capacity in a single installation.

The 18 E195-E2s are narrowbody jets typically deployed on short- and medium-haul routes, meaning the connected experience will reach a substantial share of Finnair's regional operation rather than only long-haul widebodies.

What the operators said

Finnair framed the investment as a customer-experience play rather than a cost decision. "Customer needs are at the heart of everything we do at Finnair, and connectivity is an increasingly important part of the overall travel experience," said Simon Large, Chief Customer Officer at Finnair. "We are excited to partner with SES to bring a home-like broadband experience to our customers."

SES positioned the agreement as validation of its multi-orbit strategy in a competitive inflight-connectivity market. "Inflight WiFi is a core part of the travel experience," said Blane Boynton, Senior Vice President Aviation at SES. "SES' multi-orbit network delivers the reliability, performance and flexibility airlines need today while providing a clear path for future growth. This agreement is another testament to the growing confidence leading airlines are placing in our solution."

Eutelsat, whose OneWeb LEO constellation supplies the low-latency layer, emphasized the resilience argument for combining orbits. "Finnair's selection is further evidence of the value OneWeb brings to inflight connectivity. Our high-speed, low-latency network supports the real-time applications passengers increasingly expect onboard and complements GEO to deliver a more resilient inflight service," said Thierry Polycarpe, Vice President for Aviation and Maritime at Eutelsat. "We are proud to work with SES on this deployment as more airlines embrace the capabilities of Europe's only operational LEO constellation."

What changes for passengers

Finnair says the service will let passengers stay in touch, stream content, work online and access digital services from gate to destination with the reliability they expect on the ground. The carrier describes the goal as a seamless, home-like broadband experience across the whole journey.

The timeline remains a projection for now: no connected Finnair E195-E2 will carry passengers before 2027, and the announcement does not specify pricing, rollout sequence across the 18 aircraft, or whether the fleet's remaining types will follow. Distribution partners and corporate buyers will be watching whether the carrier bundles connectivity into fares or sells it as a paid add-on — a decision Finnair has not yet disclosed.

SES will showcase the technology as an exhibitor at APEX FTE EXPO in Singapore on 18–19 November 2026, where further airline signings in the multi-orbit segment are likely to be a focal point.