16 Dec 2025

The European Space Agency (ESA) has partnered with Viasat, ESSP and its consortium of industry partners to bring Iris secure satellite communications to the forefront of the US aviation sector, as part of a long-standing ESA effort to push space-based digital communications solutions for air traffic management. A Boeing 737-8 aircraft, the ecoDemonstrator Explorer, operated by United Airlines, has flight tested ESA’s Iris; a suite of internet-based communications technologies. These technologies complement current analogue communications standards between pilots and Air Traffic Control (ATC). In addition, they enable more sources of flight-relevant information to be made available for ATC.

This announcement highlights a trend in integration of satellite technologies to improve air travel sustainability, safety and efficiency. The partnership is co-funded through the Iris programme, developed by the Space Systems for Safety and Security (4S) team within ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) 4.0. Iris is implemented by ESA in close cooperation with a large European and Canadian industrial consortium led by Viasat.  This announcement paves the way for the global deployment of Iris after its rollout for aircraft operating in European airspace started in 2024.

The Viasat-enabled Iris terminal is the latest technology to be integrated into Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator programme since its inception in 2012. The ecoDemonstrator showcased Iris’ next-generation capability to enhance operational data exchange for domestic flights in the US. Leveraging Iris’ satellite datalink and internet protocols will enable modern data-intensive applications for airlines, ATC and pilots, with benefits for route planning, fuel consumption, delay reduction and safety. Boeing and Viasat’s partnership is the culmination of extensive trans-Atlantic collaboration of aerospace industry leaders including ESA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), NASA’s Air Traffic Management – eXploration project, Collins Aerospace, Honeywell, Thales, Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques (SITA) and academic partners like Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator programme is a proven testing ground for accelerating the deployment of new technologies. The Explorer aircraft fitted with Iris was introduced to the ecoDemonstrator lineage in 2023 as a focused testbed for new solutions. It showcased ESA’s Iris technology and demonstrated its ATN-B1 and ATS-B2-enabled ability to communicate seamlessly and reliably across different airspace jurisdictions. This crucial feature ensures continuity of service across global communication standards allowing the efficiency, sustainability and safety of that will enable Iris to be adopted by the entire industry.

Flight tests started in late October 2025 with domestic flights from Houston, Texas, and concluded in November with an overseas test flight to Edinburgh, Scotland. These trials mark a milestone for the advancement of digital aviation in global standards, and for the 4S programme’s mission to improve global safety and resilience through space technology applications.

“This partnership marks a crucial milestone towards a unified global solution for Air Traffic Management. Through this testing of interconnected digital communications, we are not only advancing operational efficiency but also moving towards safer and more efficient airspace. Ultimately, this will deliver significant economic benefits and help reduce emissions, supporting the aviation industry in achieving its sustainability goals,” said Laurent Jaffart, ESA Director for Connectivity and Secure Communications

“Boeing is proud to lead the way in advancing digital communications that enhance safety and operational efficiency in aviation,” said Todd Citron, Chief Technology Officer of Boeing. Our partnership with United Airlines and esteemed collaborators marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future for air travel. By leveraging innovative technologies, we are not only improving the flying experience but also enhancing safety, paving the way for a more secure aviation industry.”

“At United, our commitment to innovation and decarbonization is at the core of what we do,” said Lauren Riley, Chief Sustainability Officer of United Airlines, “Collaborating with Boeing and other partners on the ecoDemonstrator Explorer allows us to advance new digital technologies that make flying safer, more efficient, and lower in emissions. By deploying these next-generation solutions, we’re not only enhancing the experience for our customers and crews but also supporting our goal to decarbonise aviation.”

“As aviation evolves, so too does the need for communication systems that can support emerging requirements, such as trajectory-based operations, which demand technologies beyond current standards,” said Yann Cabaret, CEO, SITA for Aircraft. “By partnering with Boeing on their ecoDemonstrator IPS Testing program we at SITA are actively testing these innovative solutions in real-world, multi-link environments, advancing our shared vision for safer, more efficient, and better-connected skies.”

“Viasat is excited to be partnering with Boeing on the ecoDemonstrator program to show how satcom datalink supports current and future Trajectory Based Operations,” said Joel Klooster, SVP Airline Operations and Safety of Viasat. “Building off the European Space Agency’s Iris programme, now operational in Europe, this activity will demonstrate the ability of Viasat’s SB-S service to support the transition to ATN/IPS, the next generation of IP-based datalink critical to supporting increased air traffic volumes in a sustainable and efficient manner.”