AeroMobile
AeroMobile is a UK-based Panasonic subsidiary that provides inflight mobile connectivity to airline passengers via certified onboard hardware and roaming agreements with 350+ mobile network operators across six flag-carrier airlines.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersCrawley, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AeroMobile does
AeroMobile Communications Limited is a UK-headquartered, Crawley-based mobile service provider that operates in the aviation connectivity niche. Founded in 2005, the company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America and employs between 11 and 50 people. Its single core product is an inflight mobile network that allows airline passengers to use their own mobile phones for calls, texts, and mobile data while in cruise flight, with the network becoming available at approximately 6,000 metres altitude.
The underlying technology combines certified onboard hardware (aircraft antennas and cabin-installed pico-cell-style equipment), satellite backhaul, and a ground network that authenticates passenger SIM cards against roaming agreements with mobile network operators. AeroMobile's service integrates into the same onboard control panel used by cabin crew for in-flight entertainment and lighting. In addition to its core cellular inflight roaming product, the company offers a Wi-Fi roaming service supported by Passpoint technology, enabling devices to attach to onboard Wi-Fi through mobile subscriptions, captive portals, or loyalty programs.
AeroMobile operates as a B2B2C business. Its primary distribution channels are OEM-embedded relationships with six major flag-carrier airlines (Emirates, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific) and roaming agreements with 350+ mobile network operators across 155+ countries. Revenue is usage-based: international roaming charges are billed to passengers by their home mobile operator rather than collected onboard, with pricing set and retained per the home operator's tariff. AeroMobile is private, does not publicly disclose revenue, and operates without independent funding disclosures.
AeroMobile firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AeroMobile
- Legal name
- AeroMobile Communications Ltd
- Website
- https://aeromobile.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AeroMobile is a UK-based Panasonic subsidiary that provides inflight mobile connectivity to airline passengers via certified onboard hardware and roaming agreements with 350+ mobile network operators across six flag-carrier airlines.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where AeroMobile is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Crawley
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
AeroMobile business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Inflight Mobile Roaming Services: AeroMobile generates revenue through international roaming charges applied when passengers use their mobile phones inflight. Charges are applied via passengers' existing mobile plans and billed directly by their network operator. Pricing is set by the passenger's home mobile operator and varies between operators.
- Wi-Fi Roaming Services: Revenue from enabling passenger devices to connect to onboard Wi-Fi networks through mobile subscriptions, providing expanded connectivity services to airlines and mobile network operators.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Usage-based roaming charges determined by home mobile operator |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
AeroMobile product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AeroMobile is a mobile service provider for the aviation industry that enables airline passengers to use their own mobile phones for calls, texting, and mobile data while inflight. The service uses satellite technology, aircraft antennas, and a ground network to relay signals, with specially certified hardware installed inside aircraft to make inflight mobile use safe.
Product overview
AeroMobile is a single-product inflight mobile service provider for the aviation industry. The company provides a unified offering that enables airline passengers to use their own mobile phones for calls, texting, and mobile data while inflight. The service utilizes satellite technology and specially certified onboard hardware to relay signals from aircraft antennas to the AeroMobile ground network, where roaming agreements with mobile network operators enable seamless connectivity. Passengers connect by switching off Airplane Mode above 20,000 feet, and billing is handled through their existing home mobile operator. The product integrates two complementary connectivity modes: the core cellular roaming service (Inflight Roaming) and Wi-Fi Roaming supported by Passpoint technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Inflight Mobile Roaming Service
Companies that use AeroMobile
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AeroMobile technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
AeroMobile partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- EmiratescoreEmirates is one of AeroMobile's airline partners. AeroMobile's inflight mobile network technology is installed on Emirates aircraft, enabling passengers to use their mobile phones for calls, texts, and data while flying.
- Etihad AirwayscoreEtihad Airways partners with AeroMobile to provide inflight mobile connectivity. The airline has equipped its aircraft with AeroMobile's certified hardware for passenger mobile services.
- LufthansacoreLufthansa is an airline partner of AeroMobile. Passengers on Lufthansa flights equipped with AeroMobile technology can use their mobile phones inflight.
- Turkish AirlinescoreTurkish Airlines partners with AeroMobile to offer inflight mobile services to passengers on equipped aircraft.
- Singapore AirlinescoreSingapore Airlines is an airline partner of AeroMobile, enabling passengers to use mobile connectivity services on equipped flights.
- Cathay PacificcoreCathay Pacific has partnered with AeroMobile to provide inflight mobile connectivity services to passengers on equipped aircraft.
- Mobile Network Operators (350+)coreOver 350 mobile network operators worldwide have roaming agreements with AeroMobile, allowing their subscribers to use the inflight mobile service. Charges are applied via passengers' existing mobile plans and billed directly by their network operator.
- Mobile Network Operators (380+)core380+ mobile network partners provide Wi-Fi roaming services supported by Passpoint technology, enabling passenger devices to connect to onboard Wi-Fi networks through mobile subscriptions.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
AeroMobile competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Intelsat: Intelsat is a major satellite operator whose Ku-band capacity underpins portions of the inflight connectivity ecosystem that AeroMobile's satellite backhaul rides on; an enabling infrastructure provider rather than a direct cabin competitor.
Direct peers
- OnAir: OnAir is the closest direct competitor to AeroMobile, offering inflight mobile telephony and internet services to commercial airlines using airborne pico-cells and satellite backhaul — the same core architecture and use case as AeroMobile.
- Gogo: Gogo is a long-established inflight connectivity provider for commercial and business aviation, originally an air-to-ground cellular specialist now expanding into satellite Ka — directly comparable in cabin connectivity mission and airline-customer focus.
- SITAONAIR: SITAONAIR provides inflight connectivity and aircraft communications solutions for commercial airlines, overlapping directly with AeroMobile in cabin passenger connectivity and cockpit datalink services.
Broad incumbents
- Viasat: Viasat (which acquired Inmarsat) is a major satellite operator delivering high-capacity Ka-band inflight connectivity to airlines globally; it operates one layer above AeroMobile in the connectivity stack and is both a potential wholesale partner and competitive threat.
- Panasonic Avionics: Panasonic Avionics is AeroMobile's parent and a broader incumbent offering integrated IFE, satellite Ku/Ka connectivity and cabin services; it competes with Viasat, Thales and Intelsat for end-to-end cabin platforms of which AeroMobile is one component.
- Honeywell Aerospace (JetWave): Honeywell supplies satellite communications hardware and connectivity services (JetWave / GoDirect) for business and commercial aviation, overlapping with AeroMobile's inflight connectivity mission across overlapping customer segments.
- Inmarsat (Viasat Aviation): Inmarsat's Aviation business (now under Viasat) provides satellite-based cockpit and cabin connectivity (SwiftBroadband, GX Aviation) used by many of the same airlines that deploy AeroMobile, making it both an upstream satellite supplier and a substitute connectivity layer.
- Thales Alenia Space / Thales InFlyt Experience: Thales offers integrated inflight entertainment and connectivity solutions to commercial airlines (including the former Global Eagle assets), competing with Panasonic Avionics for end-to-end cabin contracts that bundle or substitute AeroMobile's cellular layer.
Emerging players
- SmartSky Networks: SmartSky Networks is an emerging inflight connectivity provider deploying an air-to-ground plus hybrid network targeting business and fractional aviation; comparable mission to AeroMobile but with a different delivery technology and customer mix.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AeroMobile social profiles
Digital presenceAeroMobile financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AeroMobile leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
AeroMobile funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AeroMobile M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AeroMobile
What does AeroMobile do?
AeroMobile is a mobile service provider for the aviation industry that enables airline passengers to use their own mobile phones for calls, texting, and mobile data while inflight. The service uses satellite technology, aircraft antennas, and a ground network to relay signals, with specially certified hardware installed inside aircraft to make inflight mobile use safe.
Is AeroMobile a public or private company?
AeroMobile is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was AeroMobile founded?
AeroMobile was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AeroMobile based?
AeroMobile is headquartered in Crawley, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does AeroMobile make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Inflight Mobile Roaming Services are the primary driver. The others are wi-Fi Roaming Services.
Who are AeroMobile's main competitors?
Intelsat is listed as an others. Direct peers are OnAir, Gogo and SITAONAIR. Broad incumbents are Viasat, Panasonic Avionics, Honeywell Aerospace (JetWave), Inmarsat (Viasat Aviation) and Thales Alenia Space / Thales InFlyt Experience. SmartSky Networks is listed as an emerging player.
Does AeroMobile have an API?
No public API is recorded for AeroMobile.