Rethinking how business aviation connectivity performance is measured
A new MIT study reveals that speed isn't everything.
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Viasat’s high-capacity satellites allow for broadband speed that will outpace rivals and dazzle passengers.
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How do you define a connected experience at 40,000 feet?
An independent report by MIT's Sloan School of Management, Redefining In-Flight Connectivity in Business Aviation: What Really Matters to Private Jet Passengers, reveals why speed alone doesn't tell the full story.
The study explores what truly matters to passengers and calls for a fundamental shift in defining connectivity from single metrics to a more comprehensive focus on the in-flight experience.
Coverage confidence
With strategically positioned satellite technology, Viasat delivers ultra-reliable in-flight Wi-Fi.
Capacity is key
Viasat’s high-capacity satellites allow for broadband speed that will outpace rivals and dazzle passengers.
Sky-high tech
Viasat hardware is in it for the long haul with forward-thinking and future-compatible technology.
24/7/365 Support
Viasat’s round-the-clock-and-calendar customer service model keeps equipment running and aircraft airborne.
Why isn’t speed enough anymore?
For years, in-flight connectivity has been measured by peak speed. But faster numbers don’t always mean better experiences. MIT’s report finds that the industry must move beyond single metrics like speed to Quality of Service (QoS), incorporating factors such as latency, jitter, bandwidth, and packet loss.
Passengers don’t remember Mbps, they remember whether they could:
- Join a board meeting without dropping out.
- Stream a sporting moment without buffering.
- Stay connected wherever business takes them.
The real innovation is not in connecting people faster, but connecting people to what matters most to them—with fewer surprises, less friction, and greater confidence.
- Michael Schrage, Research Fellow at MIT Sloan School of Management
Key topics covered by the report
MIT's research challenges the long-held assumption that peak network speed is all that matters. Instead, it introduces a smarter, more comprehensive way to understand passenger satisfaction and connectivity value. Business aviation in-flight connectivity must elevate Quality of Experience (QoE) as its north star.
From speed to experience
A holistic QoE score that analyzes several key metrics is a more sophisticated measurement of passenger experience and satisfaction.
Connectivity as mission-critical
QoE considers whether users were able to accomplish their objectives without friction, which can directly impact passenger satisfaction, aircraft utilization, and return on investment.
The next evolution
Long-term, a smart AI-driven approach could not only score passenger experiences, but also predict and optimize them in real-time.
Coverage confidence
With strategically positioned satellite technology, Viasat delivers ultra-reliable in-flight Wi-Fi.
Capacity is key
Viasat’s high-capacity satellites allow for broadband speed that will outpace rivals and dazzle passengers.
Sky-high tech
Viasat hardware is in it for the long haul with forward-thinking and future-compatible technology.
24/7/365 Support
Viasat’s round-the-clock-and-calendar customer service model keeps equipment running and aircraft airborne.
How is Viasat addressing this challenge?
Viasat has reinforced the report’s findings with the launch of a market-first concept for its premier JetXP service. Designed with business aviation in mind, the new In-flight Quality of Experience (iQe) concept will redefine in-flight connectivity by focusing on the real-time, end-to-end experience of passengers.
Key features of iQe
- AI-powered. iQe leverages AI and advanced analytics to constantly monitor a broad range of network metrics.
- At-a-glance transparency. iQe delivers a single, intuitive QoE score that instantly shows connectivity performance.
- Built-in privacy protection. iQe ensures user privacy with secure login credentials.
iQe will be available early next year on major app stores as well as via a browser-based version.
“It’s clear that the business aviation industry is shifting its focus from peak speed alone to the overall quality of experience. But what’s the best way to truly measure that? iQe provides the answer. This unique concept delivers direct visibility into JetXP’s connectivity performance, incorporating all relevant network metrics and presenting the findings in a simple and easy-to-understand format, which aligns with MIT’s recommended approach.”
- Kai Tang, Head of Business Aviation at Viasat