Air India Selects Hughes for In-Flight Connectivity Across Airbus and Boeing Aircraft

Partnership will deliver consistent Wi-Fi experience and enable digital services across Air India's widebody fleet

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:38am

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A highly detailed, 3D illustration of a glowing, futuristic aircraft interior with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the digital infrastructure and connectivity hardware, conceptually representing the advanced technology powering Air India's in-flight connectivity.Cutting-edge satellite and digital connectivity solutions enable Air India to deliver seamless in-flight experiences for its passengers.Germantown Today

Air India has selected Hughes Network Systems to provide in-flight connectivity solutions across its Airbus A350-1000, Boeing 787-8, and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The partnership will leverage Hughes' multi-orbit satellite technology to deliver a consistent, high-performance Wi-Fi experience for passengers, while also enabling digital services to improve operational efficiency.

Why it matters

Reliable and high-quality in-flight connectivity has become a fundamental expectation for today's air travelers. By partnering with Hughes, Air India can standardize its connectivity platform across its widebody fleet, providing a seamless digital experience for passengers while also unlocking new operational capabilities.

The details

Hughes will leverage its Airbus HBC plus solution for the A350-1000 aircraft and the RAVE Aerospace solution for the Boeing 787-8 and 777-300ER aircraft. This common connectivity platform will allow Air India to harmonize passenger experience, deploy digital services faster, and have a roadmap to low-latency LEO satellite connectivity with minimal aircraft modifications.

  • The current selection applies to an initial tranche of existing and new widebody aircraft in the Air India fleet.
  • Air India plans to upgrade to home-broadband levels of connectivity within the next two years.

The players

Hughes Network Systems, LLC

An EchoStar company that provides broadband equipment, managed services, and end-to-end network operations for consumers, businesses, governments, airlines, and communities worldwide.

Air India

The national airline of India, known for its digital capabilities and commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Dr Satya Ramaswamy

Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Air India.

Ramesh Ramaswamy

Executive Vice President at Hughes Network Systems.

Reza Rasoulian

SVP and GM of the Aviation Business Unit at Hughes.

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What they’re saying

“Always-on broadband Internet connectivity is a fundamental expectation of today's digitally savvy consumers. Our strategic vision is to provide connectivity with home-broadband like bandwidth and latency on Air India's international and domestic flights so that connecting from our flights feels the same as connecting from home.”

— Dr Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Air India

“At Hughes, we are committed to advancing in-flight connectivity that empowers airlines like Air India, a leader in digital capabilities in the airline industry, to deliver seamless digital experiences for their passengers.”

— Ramesh Ramaswamy, Executive Vice President, Hughes Network Systems

“Hughes is honored to partner with Air India as the airline modernizes connectivity across its widebody fleet. With Hughes In-Flight Connectivity, Air India can deliver a consistent, connected onboard digital experience across both Airbus and Boeing aircraft.”

— Reza Rasoulian, SVP and GM of the Aviation Business Unit, Hughes

What’s next

Air India plans to upgrade to home-broadband levels of connectivity within the next two years as part of this partnership with Hughes.

The takeaway

This partnership between Air India and Hughes demonstrates the growing importance of reliable and high-quality in-flight connectivity, which is now a core part of the airline passenger experience and brand strategy. By standardizing on a common platform, Air India can deliver a seamless digital experience while also unlocking new operational capabilities.