It is the antenna for the inflight wifi system. The Southwest aircraft has a Ku band antenna on the top, allowing it to access the internet through satellites. The United aircraft appears to have a similar system.
Answer from aeroalias on Stack ExchangeSimple Flying
simpleflying.com › home › airlines › what is the round lump found on the roof of some airliners?
What Is The Round Lump Found On The Roof Of Some Airliners?
November 14, 2022 - However, in recent years, small lumps have started appearing on the top of the aircraft body. What are they, and do they affect the aerodynamics of the plane? The bump on the top of some commercial airliners is, in fact, a radome.
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It is the antenna for the inflight wifi system. The Southwest aircraft has a Ku band antenna on the top, allowing it to access the internet through satellites. The United aircraft appears to have a similar system.
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It looks like satellite data link antenna discussed here. It provides internet connection for passengers.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/aviation › can somebody please tell me, what the bubble on the rear upper fusilage is
r/aviation on Reddit: Can somebody please tell me, what the bubble on the rear upper fusilage is
March 24, 2022 - It's wifi for the other aircraft ! ... The correct answer. Collect a meaningless internet point. :-) ... Ceiling easement for disco ball. ... Aft Cabin Dorsal Boob. ... If this was a car or a boat, the answer would be obvious, just drill a couple of holes. But on a plane? ... They cut a hole in the roof and put it in. Source: worked for a commercial aviation Wi-Fi supplier
Quora
quora.com › Why-do-commercial-airplanes-have-that-bump-on-the-top-for-the-internet-antennae-even-on-brand-new-planes-Is-that-aerodynamic-or-not
Why do commercial airplanes have that 'bump' on the top for the internet antennae, even on brand new planes? Is that aerodynamic or not? - Quora
Answer (1 of 3): Yes, it’s aerodynamic… well, more aerodynamic than what’s under the skin. It’s actually a lot like the kind of internet you would get for your boat. If you ever see that little dome on the top of a yacht mast -same thing. Airplane wifi is satellite internet.
Airliners.net
airliners.net › forum › viewtopic.php
Communications Equipment Bulge On Top Of Aircraft - Airliners.net
I have noticed many private aircrafts such as the Oman 747SP with a bulge on top of the fuselage. This holds some communications equipment. It is also found in some commercial aircraft like JetBlue's A320s so they can receive DirecTV transmissions. No I have some questions: -How do these bulges ...
Mysite
going2paris.net › post › what-is-the-round-lump-found-on-the-roof-of-some-airliners
What Is The Round Lump Found On The Roof Of Some Airliners?
September 24, 2022 - However, in recent years, small lumps have started appearing on the top of the aircraft body. What are they, and do they affect the aerodynamics of the plane? ... The bump on the top of some commercial airliners is, in fact, a radome.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/planespotting › what is this hump on a united airlines plane?
r/Planespotting on Reddit: What is this hump on a United Airlines plane?
August 31, 2024 -
What is this hump? They all seem to have them. Just a regular person here, so I don’t know.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/aviation › what is this hump on the top of the plane?
r/aviation on Reddit: What is this hump on the top of the plane?
January 14, 2022 - Commercial jets have so much real estate compared to my customer's bizjets! ... We have them on Gulfstreams, but smaller, call them the blister panel. ... That’s operations satcom (for crew). The dome is the IFE satcom (for passengers). ... The SATCOM link might be used to provided wifi services inside the aircraft but the dish itself is definitely SATCOM not WiFi. ... Plane to occupant internet or phone device (phone/computer) = wifi routers connected to the Satcom receiver/transmitter
Reddit
reddit.com › r/aviation › why do the american planes have this hump on the back while the others don't? these are embraer e190sr, but i have noticed this for many planes. is there some kind of faa regulation causing this? pic credit: la flights and aero corner respectively.
r/aviation on Reddit: Why do the American planes have this hump on the back while the others don't? These are Embraer E190SR, but I have noticed this for many planes. Is there some kind of FAA regulation causing this? pic credit: LA Flights and Aero Corner respectively.
April 21, 2024 - It needed because it was not part of the original airframe. Instead the airline installed it later on. When you buy your aircraft with it preinstalled its not visible from the outside
Quora
quora.com › Do-airplanes-have-internet-on-board
Do airplanes have internet on board? - Quora
Answer (1 of 4): If you’re referring to commercial airliners, such as, say an Icelandair 757, then yes, some do. Airlines putting WiFi onboard their planes is becoming a more widespread practice by airlines around the world to let passengers enjoy themselves onboard more.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/aviation › does anyone know what that white hump is? i cought this at amsterdam last saturday
r/aviation on Reddit: Does anyone know what that white hump is? I cought this at Amsterdam last saturday
February 15, 2023 - No. Those are inside the aircraft. This is the satellite transceiver for the internet connection.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/aviation › how is wifi provided on commercial flights?
r/aviation on Reddit: How is WiFi provided on commercial flights?
September 5, 2024 -
I’m cross posting this on r/networking as well. I’m curious if anyone knows how WiFi on commercial flights is provided? Does the aircraft receive a satellite signal for Internet service? If so, why is it that service is limited or non-existent on trans-oceanic flights and how is it possible to keep a consistent signal to an object traveling at 434kts at 28,000ft?
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Very long cable
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See delta news article below for vendors. Both of those are geostationary systems meaning the satellite is always in the same position and antenna needs to track that position via movement or beam forming (see via satellite article). If systems like Starlink ever get approved it will vastly increase global coverage. Those antennas use beam forming and 1000s of low earth orbit satellites each group on designated orbital paths. Some have tried using starlink in personal aircraft but they shut you off if the dish is moving >100mph and want you to upgrade to an aviation subscription in the 10k per month range for unlimited. https://news.delta.com/mediakit/travel-made-you-fast-free-wi-fi-delta-sync https://news.viasat.com/blog/gem/100-planes-and-counting-behind-the-scenes-installing-the-best-wi-fi-in-the-sky https://findstarlink.com https://www.starlink.com/business/aviation
Quora
quora.com › Does-the-lump-shaped-WiFi-antenna-on-top-of-an-airplane-affect-its-efficiency
Does the lump-shaped WiFi antenna on top of an airplane affect its efficiency? - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): You mean, that antenna? That’s a satellite Internet antenna, not a Wi-Fi antenna. Wi-Fi is a near-range technology using unlicensed spectrum. Satellite Internet uses licensed Ku- or Ka-band spectrum for communication between a ground station, satellite transponder, and ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/airbus › why does the airbus have a bulge?
r/Airbus on Reddit: Why does the airbus have a bulge?
January 12, 2024 -
Why is there a bulge on the a350? I’m guessing it is for the landing gear, but is this a common thing with other jets?
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Love handles.
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I am not entirely sure what you mean, especially with the Red line in the picture. But if you mean the bulge around the wingjoint to the fuselage, IT is the so called belly fairing and the upperwing fairing. Main purpose is aerodynamical and there is a lot of hollow room behind it aswell as some vital components (climate packs, hydraulic compartment...)
Quora
quora.com › What-is-the-purpose-of-the-bulge-at-the-centre-of-Airbus-A380-fuselage-and-does-it-not-disrupt-airflow-It-is-present-in-other-planes-too-What-is-it-called
What is the purpose of the 'bulge' at the centre of Airbus A380 fuselage and does it not disrupt airflow? It is present in other planes too. What is it called? - Quora
Answer (1 of 13): What I suspect you are describing is the wing to body fairing, sometimes termed the belly fairing. No, it does not disrupt the airflow. In fact its primary purpose is to smooth out the airflow by eliminating turbulence at the wing/fuselage juncture. It does so by making the tran...