Thai Airways and Neo Space Group Partner to Revolutionize In-Flight Connectivity

by Prathik Jayaprakash

Neo Space Group (NSG), a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company and Saudi Arabia’s premier commercial space services provider, and Thai Airways (THAI) have announced a landmark agreement to install NSG Skywaves® in-flight connectivity (IFC) as a factory "line-fit" feature on the airline’s new fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. This partnership establishes both companies as pioneers in next-generation cabin technology.

Under the terms of the agreement, Thai Airways will equip all 34 of its new Boeing 787 aircraft with NSG’s multi-orbit IFC solution. This technology delivers broadband speeds of up to 200 Mbps, providing passengers with high-speed Wi-Fi while significantly enhancing the airline's operational efficiency.

By choosing factory line-fit installation, Thai Airways ensures that every new Dreamliner enters service with full connectivity from day one. This strategic decision eliminates the downtime, technical complexity, and high costs typically associated with aftermarket retrofits.

“Enhancing the customer journey is at the heart of our strategy,” said Wirush Theparak, Head of Customer Experience and Product at Thai Airways International. “By partnering with Neo Space Group, we are offering our passengers seamless, high-speed connectivity the moment they board. This empowers us to deliver a world-class digital experience and reinforces Thai Airways’ position as a leader in premium long-haul travel.”

The agreement builds on a partnership established in 2024, which included the retrofit of the airline's Boeing 777 fleet and line-fit installations for A321neo aircraft. The first A321neo featuring NSG Skywaves® is expected to enter service in Q1 2026.

“We are proud to welcome Thai Airways as our launch customer for the Boeing 787 line-fit installation,” said Tarek El Mitwalli, EVP of Business Aviation at NSG. “NSG Skywaves® provides uninterrupted multi-orbit service—even over challenging regions like India and China—ensuring passengers remain productive and entertained throughout their journey. This achievement is a major step in our international growth.”

NSG Skywaves® utilizes SES’s Open Orbits™ network, merging the low latency of Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites with the global stability of Geostationary (GEO) satellites. The system integrates the ThinKom Ka2517 antenna, a proven solution currently deployed on more than 1,700 aircraft worldwide.

As a PIF-owned entity, NSG’s expansion supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by driving digital transformation in the aviation sector and strengthening the Kingdom’s role in the global space economy.