A New Era of Global Connectivity: Introducing Gogo Galileo HDX

Mike Peterson, Avionics Sales and Engineering Manager

Having seamless, reliable, and secure inflight connectivity was once considered a luxury. Nowadays, though, it is an expectation. According to an independent report by MIT’s Sloan School of Management, passengers don’t remember Mbps, they remember their connectivity. They want to join a board meeting without dropping out, stream a sporting moment without buffering, and stay connected to the ground while in the air.

With this passenger in mind, Pentastar Aviation has partnered with Gogo to implement the Gogo Galileo HDX system, a transformative new solution built on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology. Gogo Galileo provides aircraft operators worldwide with global, high-speed inflight internet for every size business aircraft.

What Sets Galileo HDX Apart

Galileo HDX is a new chapter for Gogo, a brand already known for its long history of reliable inflight communications. Gogo’s legacy systems activate at altitude and operate within the continental United States, however the new Galileo HDX connects to a global LEO satellite network. Using the LEO satellite network helps aircrafts stay online anywhere in the world, which includes remote regions and when flying over oceans.

One of the biggest advantages of Galileo HDX is the compatibility it has with many existing Gogo components that are installed on aircrafts. For example, aircraft owners who have relied on L3, L5, or LX5 systems, can now expand their connectivity capabilities. They don’t have to start from scratch, so it feels more like a natural and cost-effective solution.

Pentastar’s involvement in bringing this system to life has been extensive and has involved months of FAA certification testing, regulatory requirements such as bird-strike qualification and more. Our team is now finalizing Supplemental Type Certificates for the Gulfstream GIV/G450 and GV/G550 platforms, which represents a large portion of the OEM’s global fleet. Many of these aircraft models are out of production, so the demand for aftermarket upgrades is significant.

Helping Owners Choose the Right Solution

For aircraft owners, the arrival of Galileo HDX comes at an opportune time as many are reevaluating their inflight connectivity needs. It is also an ideal time since many passenger expectations are growing.

Our team starts every conversation by first understanding how an aircraft will be used. That involves whether flights are domestic or international and how many passengers are typically onboard. Other things to consider are what types of applications are needed for productivity and comfort.

While the highest available speeds can be tempting, many owners don’t need an ultra-premium system, so choosing Galileo HDX, which provides a more balanced and economically friendly solution, meets the needs of most missions.

Galileo HDX is the first phase of Gogo’s LEO connectivity expansion, but we are helping customers prepare for what is next and are already developing a full-duplex system expected to deliver speeds up to 200 Mbps.

Approach to Connectivity

Pentastar has spent years helping aircraft owners evaluate and install the right systems for their needs and stay connected. That has ranged anything from legacy ATG solutions to advanced broadband platforms like Starlink.

What sets us apart is its commitment to listening and on matching the system to the mission rather than overselling. We are focused on maintaining clear communication from the moment an aircraft arrives.

Why Planning Matters

Owners should begin planning early because installation schedules can fill up quickly. In addition, hardware lead times can also extend several weeks, so starting the planning process early can help them secure a slot so they can evaluate their options carefully and strategic decisions about their needs without being rushed.

If you’re considering a connectivity upgrade or wondering whether Galileo HDX is the right fit for your aircraft, click here and our team can help guide you through the decision and installation  .