The global aviation community came together for three days of networking, collaboration, and forward-thinking at the 2025 World Aviation Festival (WAF) in Lisbon, Portugal. This year’s event brought together 5,533 registered attendees, 529 expert speakers, and 385 sponsors and exhibitors from more than 100 countries highlighting the innovation and energy driving the aviation industry.
WAF highlighted how airlines and airports are evolving to meet shifting market dynamics and rising passenger expectations, with AI, data-driven operations, modern retailing, and digital transformation leading the way.
A key theme throughout the sessions was delivering on the customer promise, a point highlighted in the WAF 2025 Post Event Report as one of the event’s key takeaways. This focus is centered on providing a seamless, personalized experience from booking to arrival. Airlines and airports are making significant investments in digital tools like self-service options, biometrics, and loyalty integration to build a truly end-to-end experience.
Inflight connectivity (IFC) has become a crucial factor in making that promise possible. Reliable, high-speed broadband has become essential to the travel experience as passengers expect to be connected at all times. Beyond communication and entertainment, IFC supports connected cabin operations by helping crews improve efficiency in the air, streamlining communication, and gaining access to real-time data.
The conversation around connectivity took on new significance this year, emphasizing the industry’s focus on collaboration and long-term infrastructure. The completion of the SES and Intelsat merger, which created one of the world’s largest satellite connectivity providers, is a perfect example. The network spans 120 satellites, 30 in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), 90 in Geostationary Orbit (GEO), and Eutelsat OneWeb’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network.
As Nick Silvester, Regional Director, Sales – Europe at SES, explained, “SES is the only multi-orbit connectivity provider that gives airlines complete choice and flexibility. We offer both Ku and Ka band options across multiple orbits, letting airlines choose what works best for their routes and passengers.”
The company’s expanded infrastructure proves how the industry is adopting next-gen satellite technology to improve operational resilience and the passenger experience, as more than 30 commercial airline customers already rely on SES for connectivity.
As discussed throughout WAF, technology from AI to satellite networks is reshaping the future of flight. However, all these developments are working towards the same goal: giving every passenger a better, more connected experience.
