Global market size: in-flight connectivity services 2012-2029

In 2019, the market for passenger connectivity services generated 1.7 billion U.S. dollars in revenue. By 2029, in a low-case scenario due to the coronavirus pandemic, this market is expected to generate 6.1 billion U.S. dollars in revenue.

Rapid growth of the in-flight connectivity market

As the use of scientific advances expands in economic practices, companies offer enlarged service opportunities to customers. Once just an infant market, in-flight connectivity services attract more and more investment and business attention in the aviation industry. In-flight connectivity firstly started in 2012 as a commercial service offer and its market size increased exponentially since then. In less than five years, this market expanded ten times in size, indicating high growth potential. In a 2018 survey, most of the surveyed air travelers revealed that they would use in-flight WiFi if it will be available during their next flights. This growth potential attracts more and more companies to explore the market. Viasat, Gogo and Global Eagle were the leading in-flight connectivity service providers in narrowbody aircraft in North America in 2019.

Global Eagle

As one of the market leaders in the in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) market, Global Eagle was established to provide connectivity and entertainment solutions for the transportation industry. The company's mission is to make internet accessible to people regardless of where they are. Global Eagle generated more and more revenue each year since 2015. In 2019, the company reported over 656 million U.S. dollars in revenue from its operations. Since the company makes large investments to improve transportation industry, it is still far away from being profitable. Therefore, when one takes the total costs into account as well, then the picture seems to be bleaker. In 2019, the company reported a net loss of 153 million U.S. dollars.