SkyFive, an in-flight connectivity provider, is partnering with Lufthansa Technik to expand the availability of its Air-to-Ground (A2G) broadband services.
This partnership hopes to meet the growing demand for A2G technology, particularly in single-aisle aircraft.
Lufthansa Technik will design, certify, and manufacture installation kits for SkyFive’s A2G technology, which they claim will make it faster and easier for airlines to upgrade their narrowbody aircraft with a “cost-effective connectivity solution”.
The SkyFive system works by connecting the aircraft to ground stations of dedicated mobile networks via a lower-fuselage-mounted antenna about the size of a human hand.
SkyFive has a network of ground stations strategically positioned to ensure continuous coverage along flight paths.
As the aircraft flies within range of a ground station, the antenna establishes a connection via extended cellular coverage areas specifically designed for aircraft at cruising altitudes.
“Efficient in-flight connectivity is among the top desires of airline passengers nowadays. Hence, the necessity for reliable and fast, but also easy-to-install connectivity solutions is growing steadily,” said Andrew Muirhead, Vice President of OEM and Engineering Services at Lufthansa Technik.
“With our renowned expertise in Supplemental Type Certification for connectivity installations, we are able to provide our valued partner a fast time-to-market. With proven solutions for both satellite and A2G connectivity, we can bring almost any commercial aircraft cabin online now.”


(from left to right): Stefan Steinberg (Lufthansa Technik), Dirk Lindemeier (SkyFive), Markus Staar, and Ivaylo Minkov (both Lufthansa Technik) demonstrate the size and positioning of a SkyFive A2G lower-fuselage antenna.