Global broadband connectivity provider Gogo has signed a new capacity deal with satellite operator SES to offer improved in-flight connectivity services for the aircraft operating in routes over North America and the Pacific Ocean.

Under the deal, Gogo has leased all available capacity on SES's AMC-4 satellite.

SES will shift the AMC-4 satellite to a new orbital location to serve flights to, from and within the US states of Alaska and Hawaii.

The repositioned satellite will also be able to cater to the aircraft flying along the west coast of the US and over the Pacific Ocean.

“Gogo's scale and the scale of our satellite providers, with dozens of satellites in orbit, puts us in a unique position to deploy industry-leading capacity to any area of the globe."

Gogo president and CEO Michael Small said: “One of the great benefits of the Ku ecosystem is the on-demand flexibility it offers us.

“Gogo's scale and the scale of our satellite providers, with dozens of satellites in orbit, puts us in a unique position to deploy industry-leading capacity to any area of the globe.

“We're also unique in that the capacity we are deploying is dedicated to the aero market and not shared with ground subscribers, maritime or other markets.”

Gogo is currently collaborating with 17 commercial airlines worldwide and has installed in-flight connectivity technology on more than 3,000 commercial aircraft.

SES Americas region and mobility solutions senior vice-president Elias Zaccack said: “With the recent launch of the SES-10 satellite, SES will place AMC-4 in an orbital slot to meet the growing demand for Gogo's in-flight connectivity services and allow us to further expand our alliance.”

The company currently operates a global fleet of 50 geosynchronous (GEO) satellites in orbit, and is planning to launch five new satellites this year.

Image: Gogo bolsters in-flight connectivity capacity over North America and the Pacific with SES. Photo: courtesy of Gogo.