Airbus aiming for new HBCplus LEO connectivity system to enter service in 2028
CAPA News Briefs
CAPA publishes more than 1,000 global News Briefs every week, covering all aspects of the aviation and travel industry. It’s the most comprehensive source of market intelligence in the world, with around 50 per cent of content translated from non-English sources. The breadth of our coverage means you won’t need any other news sources to monitor competitors and stay informed about the latest developments in the wider aviation sector.
Our daily News Briefs are only available to CAPA Members
Membership provides access to more than 1,000 News Briefs every week, with quick links to our Analysis Reports, Research Publications, Data Centre and more.
It’s easy to keep your News Briefs relevant by customising your email alerts based on topic, region, sector, frequency and more. Once you’ve saved your settings, you can stay up-to-date wherever you are, by quickly scanning our News Briefs online or via the CAPA mobile app.
Membership also provides full access to our Analysis Reports, in-depth Research Publications and comprehensive Data Centre. Premium CAPA Members can also access add-ons such as our exclusive Fleet Database, Airline Cask Data tools and more, to enjoy the full capabilities of our global platform.
Background ✨
Airbus signed an MoU to integrate SpaceSail’s LEO connectivity into HBCplus, citing demand from Chinese airlines for reliable, locally developed connectivity solutions.1 China Southern selected HBCplus for 30 A350s (20 retrofits, 10 linefits), with the first HBCplus-equipped A350 expected to enter service in 2026.2 Airbus also planned to integrate Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), with JetBlue planning a phased roll-out from 2027.3