What FTS does

FTS Technologies Co., Ltd. (飞天联合 / FTS) is a Beijing-based provider of civil avionics systems and digital services for commercial aviation, founded in 2010 and operating as a portfolio company of state-owned China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CASC). The company's product portfolio centers on the proprietary Xstream family — XstreamSAT Ka/Ku-band high-throughput satellite in-flight connectivity (IFC) terminals, XstreamLITE cabin Wi-Fi systems, XstreamIFE 4K Ultra HD wireless in-flight entertainment, XstreamDI flight data application platforms, and XOP cloud-based ground operations software — supplemented by an AI-powered onboard edge computing platform and a newly certified freighter surveillance system. FTS is the first Chinese civil avionics supplier to obtain the CAAC, FAA, and EASA airworthiness certification 'grand slam,' enabling its hardware to be installed on aircraft operated by airlines globally.

FTS generates revenue through a mix of one-time avionics hardware sales (terminals, displays, cabin Wi-Fi access points, cargo surveillance units), recurring software/subscription revenue from the XOP operations and XstreamDI flight data platforms, and professional services including aircraft modification, airworthiness certification support, and CCAR 145 maintenance. Go-to-market is primarily direct enterprise field sales to commercial airlines in China — including Qingdao Airlines, Donghai Airlines, Spring Airlines, Shandong Airlines, and SF Airlines — alongside OEM-embedded supply to aircraft manufacturers such as COMAC (for digital cabin systems on C919 and other programs), with international market development supported by a wholly-owned overseas subsidiary and recurring presence at global industry trade shows such as AIX, APEX EXPO, and Paris Air Show.

The customer base spans commercial passenger airlines (full-service and low-cost carriers), cargo airlines, aircraft manufacturers (OEMs), and emerging electric aircraft (eVTOL/eSTOL) manufacturers, with expansion into urban air mobility and digital cargo operations representing the most recent vertical moves. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; contracts are negotiated per fleet procurement program and bundle hardware, software, certification, and integration services. FTS positions itself as a vertically integrated domestic Chinese alternative to Western IFC/IFEC incumbents, leveraging CASC group affiliation, multi-jurisdictional airworthiness certification, and a continuous product cadence that has expanded from broadband IFC into AI-enabled edge computing and freighter surveillance.

Name

FTS

Legal name

FTS Technologies Co., Ltd.

Website

https://fts.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

FTS Technologies is a Beijing-based civil avionics provider and CASC portfolio company supplying Ka/Ku-band satellite IFC, cabin Wi-Fi, 4K IFE, and AI-powered surveillance systems to Chinese and global commercial airlines, cargo operators, and aircraft manufacturers such as COMAC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civil Avionics Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) & Avionics Computing Platforms (IMABAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK), Avionics Integration, Wiring Harnesses & Installation Kits (IMABAFAL)

Keywords

• Civil avionics systems
• In-flight connectivity
• Satellite communication terminals
• Cabin Wi-Fi systems
• Flight data platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Haidian

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Avionics Hardware Sales: Sale of proprietary cabin Wi-Fi hardware, broadband satellite terminals, IFE display units, and onboard computing equipment to airlines and aircraft manufacturers. Products include XstreamSAT, XstreamLITE, XstreamIFE series hardware. Revenue is one-time per aircraft installation plus retrofit services.
2. Software Platform and Operations Services: Subscription-style revenue from XOP/XstreamOP cloud-based operations platform and XstreamDI flight data application platform. Provides airlines with business management tools, network connectivity management, and real-time flight data analytics services.
3. Aircraft Modification and Integration Services: Provides aircraft modification, airworthiness certification support, integration testing, and 145 maintenance services for airline fleet digitalization projects (e.g., Shandong Airlines Digital Aircraft program, Spring Airlines retrofit).
4. eVTOL/eSTOL Avionics Products: Sale of avionics products for emerging electric aircraft segment including airborne communication systems, integrated display systems, and AI-powered onboard servers, along with customization and joint development services.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FTS designs, manufactures, and supplies integrated civil avionics hardware and software for commercial aviation, including Ka/Ku-band satellite in-flight connectivity terminals (XstreamSAT), cabin Wi-Fi systems (XstreamLITE), 4K Ultra HD wireless in-flight entertainment (XstreamIFE), cloud-based flight data analytics platforms (XstreamDI), IFC operations management software (XOP), AI-powered onboard edge computing servers, and freighter cargo hold surveillance systems. The company sells directly to airlines (e.g., Qingdao, Spring, Shandong, Donghai, SF) and aircraft OEMs (e.g., COMAC), providing fleet-wide hardware delivery, airworthiness-certified modification, integration, and ongoing software services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• XstreamSAT: Ka/Ku-band high-speed satellite IFC terminals for aircraft broadband connectivity
• XstreamLITE
• XstreamIFE
• XstreamDI (XDI)
• XOP

Products and services

• XstreamSAT Satellite In-flight Connectivity System Ka/Ku-band high-throughput satellite in-flight connectivity terminal providing airlines with high-speed passenger internet and real-time air-ground flight data connectivity. Compatible with major Ka/Ku-band satellite networks worldwide, ARINC791-compliant design, and certified by FAA, EASA, and CAAC (STC). Sold to commercial airlines such as Qingdao Airlines, Donghai Airlines, Spring Airlines, and Shandong Airlines.
• XstreamLITE Cabin Wi-Fi System High-density cabin wireless system providing passengers with in-flight entertainment resources (movies, music, games, news, destination info, online shopping), built on an open cloud-managed platform with multi-channel 4G cellular radios. Used by airlines such as Spring Airlines for A320 cabin Wi-Fi deployments.
• XstreamIFE 4K Ultra HD Wireless IFE System Wireless in-flight entertainment system built around 4K Ultra HD display technology, supporting wireless connection of personal passenger devices (cellphones, tablets, laptops, Bluetooth headphones). Product variants include 4K Cabin Seat Back Display Unit, Entryway Display, Digital Overhead Monitor, and Armrest Display Unit. Targeted at commercial airlines seeking premium cabin entertainment.
• XstreamDI Flight Data Application Platform Cloud-based application platform providing customizable flight management tools based on real-time aircraft operational data, with visualization of aircraft operation parameters and business disposition strategies for flight safety and work efficiency. Used by Shandong Airlines' Digital Aircraft program and SF Airlines' B767 freighter digitalization project.
• XOP / XstreamOP Cloud-based Operations Platform Cloud-based ground software platform enabling in-flight connectivity (IFC) operators to fully manage connectivity services, covering business logic and network connectivity. Built with open architecture so airlines and partners can interface their own content, advertising, and analytics layers. Sold to IFC operators and airlines.
• eVTOL/eSTOL/eCTOL Avionics Product Line Avionics suite for emerging electric vertical take-off/landing and electric short/ conventional take-off/landing aircraft, comprising airborne multi-mode communication systems, integrated display systems, and AI-powered onboard computing platforms. Targeted at eVTOL manufacturers and operators in the urban air mobility / low-altitude economy market.
• Freighter / Cargo Hold Surveillance System AI-powered smart surveillance solution for cargo holds combining video cameras, FTS onboard edge computing platform, and aircraft data processing, providing real-time cargo hold monitoring, automated emergency detection, and pilot/crew alerting via the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB). CAAC airworthiness certified and first delivered via SF Airlines B767 freighter digitalization project.
• Aircraft Modification, Certification, and Integration Services End-to-end aircraft digitalization services including aircraft modification, airworthiness certification support (CAAC, FAA, EASA STC / VSTC), integration testing, and 145 maintenance services for airline fleet programs such as Shandong Airlines' Digital Aircraft pilot and Spring Airlines' A320 cabin Wi-Fi retrofit. Sold alongside avionics hardware/software as part of turnkey fleet digitalization programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• First high-speed satellite internet aircraft in China operated 900+ flights serving 110,000+ passengers with stable system performance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Shandong AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2021FTS and Shandong Airlines signed cooperation agreement to launch China's first Digital Aircraft pilot program for Boeing 737 fleet. FTS provides full hardware and software solutions for fleet digitalization including aircraft modification, airworthiness certification, and flight testing. First aircraft entered service in mid-2022.
• COMAC Shanghai Aircraft Design Institute (中国商飞上飞院)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 2019FTS signed framework cooperation agreement with COMAC Shanghai Aircraft Design研究院 and officially joined the 'Big Aircraft Innovation Valley' (大飞机创新谷). The partnership focuses on joint R&D of cabin IoT technologies based on 5G and next-generation communication and AI technologies, progressively realizing networked and intelligent cabin services, management, and passenger entertainment.
• Donghai AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2019Donghai Airlines signed as one of two launch airline customers for FTS XstreamSAT Ka/Ku-band Inflight Connectivity systems. FTS announced strategic partnerships and new product unveilings at AIX 2019 including XOP operations platform.
• COMAC (中国商飞)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2019FTS is a supplier to COMAC for digital Cabin systems. FTS commenced deliveries from 2019 as part of the commercial aircraft manufacturer's digital cabin program, supporting C919 and other COMAC aircraft programs.
• Qingdao AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2018FTS partnered Qingdao Airlines to equip its entire A320 fleet with FTS' XSTREAM-SAT Ka/Ku Dual-Band Broadband Connectivity system, making Qingdao Airlines the first airline in China to offer Ka-band in-flight connectivity. FTS provides total solution including hardware, business management platform, local support, and integration services. Qingdao Airlines planned fleet expansion to 100+ aircraft by 2025.
• SF Airlines (顺丰航空)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFTS successfully delivered B767 freighter digitalization project for SF Airlines, providing flight data system airborne hardware and onboard network system for cargo hold real-time monitoring and flight safety. First implementation in China's cargo aviation sector, establishing a new industry benchmark.
• China Satcom (中国卫通)coreTechnology or IntegrationFTS partners with China Satcom for Ka-band satellite connectivity. FTS XstreamSAT systems are designed to work with China Satcom's high-throughput satellites including 中星16号. China Satcom is the sole telecom satellite operator in China providing commercial Ka-band broadband satellite services.
• Tiandihulian (天地互联)majorTechnology or IntegrationFTS partners with Tiandihulian (TD-HUB) for the intelligent operations system used on connected aircraft. Tiandihulian operates the in-flight internet service on Qingdao Airlines connected aircraft, providing content, advertising, and e-commerce platform services.
• Alibaba Cloud (阿里云)majorTechnology or IntegrationFTS partnered with Alibaba Cloud to provide air-ground coordination solutions supporting civil aviation digitalization. The partnership leverages Alibaba Cloud's infrastructure for data processing and analytics in the digital aircraft ecosystem.
• Shandong Taigu Aircraft Engineering (山东太古)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerShandong Taigu Aircraft Engineering Company (山东太古飞机工程公司) performed the aircraft modification and installation work for FTS's Ka-band satellite IFC system on Qingdao Airlines aircraft, handling the physical STC installation process.
• GOBPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFTS partnered with GOBP to explore auxiliary revenue opportunities for global airlines, combining FTS's hardware and platform capabilities with GOBP's revenue optimization expertise.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Panasonic Avionics: Panasonic Avionics is the global market leader in in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) for commercial aircraft, supplying cabin Wi-Fi, seatback IFE, and connectivity systems to most major airlines. Directly comparable to FTS's XstreamSAT, XstreamLITE, and XstreamIFE product lines.
• Thales (Avionics/InFlyt Experience): Thales is a global IFEC and avionics major offering the AVANT in-flight entertainment system and connectivity solutions for commercial aircraft. Directly comparable to FTS across cabin connectivity, IFE, and broader avionics integration.
• Viasat: Viasat (including its Inmarsat Aviation business) is a leading provider of in-flight satellite connectivity for commercial aviation, operating Ka/Ku-band networks and supplying terminal hardware to airlines worldwide. Directly comparable to FTS's XstreamSAT Ka/Ku-band connectivity terminal.
• Gogo Business Aviation: Gogo is a provider of in-flight connectivity and entertainment solutions for both commercial and business aviation, with Ka-band satellite and air-to-ground network offerings. Closely comparable to FTS's IFC and cabin connectivity positioning, particularly in commercial narrowbody IFC.
• Astronics Corporation: Astronics is a provider of aerospace hardware including in-flight entertainment systems, cabin connectivity, and aircraft power/lighting solutions. Comparable to FTS as a focused cabin avionics hardware supplier serving commercial aircraft OEMs and airlines.
• SITA (SITAONAIR): SITA (and its SITAONAIR business) provides airline IT, communications, and connectivity services for the air transport industry, including cockpit communications and cabin connectivity solutions. Comparable to FTS's ground operations platform (XOP) and IFC service management offerings.
• Anuvu (formerly Global Eagle Entertainment): Anuvu (formerly Global Eagle Entertainment) provides in-flight connectivity, content, and entertainment services to commercial airlines, including satellite-based IFC. Comparable to FTS as an IFC service and content platform provider serving commercial aviation.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell is a broad incumbent in aerospace, offering avionics, connectivity (Honeywell Forge), and flight management systems for commercial aircraft. Comparable as an established avionics/connectivity competitor with a much wider portfolio and deeper airline relationships than FTS.
• Collins Aerospace (RTX): Collins Aerospace is a major aerospace systems supplier offering avionics, cabin systems, and connectivity solutions as part of its broader portfolio. Comparable to FTS in cabin/connectivity, though it operates across a much wider range of aircraft systems.

Emerging players

• SmartSky Networks: SmartSky Networks is an emerging US-based provider of air-to-ground in-flight connectivity for commercial and business aviation. Comparable to FTS as a newer entrant building IFC infrastructure targeting commercial airline customers, though with a different network technology approach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ftsaero

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FTS