SiriusXM Aviation vs. ADS-B

Compare SiriusXM with ADS-B weather and determine which solution is best for you.
Call 1-855-796-9847 to subscribe
SiriusXM Aviation plans starting at $29.99/month
See Offer Details below.
Call 1-855-796-9847 to subscribe
Plane waiting on runway
Air Safety Institute: SXM vs. ADS-B
In this review from AOPA’s Air Safety Institute, John Zimmerman, an aviation writer and ATP, compares the service that revolutionized cockpit weather - SiriusXM Aviation - to the more recent ADS-B (FIS-B).
Watch video
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Dare to compare
Check out, in detail, the differences between SiriusXM Aviation and ADS-B weather – from delivery method, frequency of updates, to features offered.
Dare to compare
SXM vs. ADS-B: What does this mean for your flight?
‘Fly’ through this interactive infographic to see the differences between SiriusXM Aviation and ADS-B weather at each stage of flight.
Explore infographic

Compare SiriusXM Aviation Plans to ADS-B

Select a SiriusXM Aviation plan with the dropdown to compare its features to ADS-B weather (FIS-B).

Plan Features

ADS-B In (FIS-B)2

Fees, taxes and Offer Details apply.

Plan
SiriusXM Pilot Express
ADS-B In (FIS-B)
Network Coverage
Network Coverage
No altitude limitations / no line-of-sight restrictionsAltitude limitations / line-of-sight restrictions
Coast to Coast High-Res (2km) Composite NEXRAD Radar
Coast to Coast High-Res (2km) Composite NEXRAD Radar
CONUS (2.5 min updates)Hi-res limited to 150-250 NM of position. Lower res beyond that. Update rates vary.
High-Resolution Base Reflectivity Radar
High-Resolution Base Reflectivity Radar
CONUS
Not included
NEXRAD Storm Cell Attributes
NEXRAD Storm Cell Attributes
CONUS
Not included
Lightning: Cloud-to-Cloud & Cloud-to-Ground
Lightning: Cloud-to-Cloud & Cloud-to-Ground
CONUS & non-CONUS (2.5 min updates)Cloud-to-Ground only / Limited to 150 to 250 NM of position dependent on plane altitude in CONUS
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
CONUSLimited to 100NM of position
Winds Aloft
Winds Aloft
Observed & forecasted 1 hour updates /
CONUS & non-CONUS		Forecasted 12 hour updates limited to 500-1000NM, dependent on plane altitude
Temps Aloft
Temps Aloft
Observed & forecasted 1 hour updates / CONUS & non-CONUS Forecasted 12 hour updates limited to 500-1000NM, dependent on plane altitude
AIRMETs & SIGMETs
AIRMETs & SIGMETs
CONUS & non-ConusLimited to 250-500NM of position
PIREPs
PIREPs
CONUS & non-ConusLimited to 250-500NM of position
Tropical Storm Tracks with Windfields
Tropical Storm Tracks with Windfields
CONUS & non-CONUS
Not included
Standard Forecast Winds
Standard Forecast Winds
CONUS & non-CONUS
Not included
High-Resolution Surface Winds Forecast
High-Resolution Surface Winds Forecast
CONUS & non-CONUS
Not included
Weather Map w/Surface Features & Isobars
Weather Map w/Surface Features & Isobars
CONUS & non-CONUS
Not included
Radar Coverage/Site Status
Radar Coverage/Site Status
CONUS & non-CONUS
Not included
Icing NOWcast
Icing NOWcast
Observed data / CONUS & non-CONUSForecasted data 150-250 NM dependent on plane altitude
METARs/TAFs — Non-CONUS
METARs/TAFs — Non-CONUS
Not included
Limited to 250-500NM of position
Cloud Top Image
Cloud Top Image
Not included
Forecasted data 150-250 NM dependent on plane altitude
Echo Top Raster
Echo Top Raster
Not included
Not included
Graphical Turbulence Guidance
Graphical Turbulence Guidance
Not included
150-250 NM dependent on plane altitude
Freezing Level
Freezing Level
CONUS & non-CONUS
Not included
Surface Visibility Forecast
Surface Visibility Forecast
Not included
Not included
Canadian Weather Warnings
Canadian Weather Warnings
Not included
Not included
NOTAMs
NOTAMs
N/ALimited to 100NM of position
Special Use Airspace Status
Special Use Airspace Status
N/ALimited to 100NM of position
150+ Channels of SiriusXM Satellite Radio3
150+ Channels of SiriusXM Satellite Radio3
Additional subscription required
Not included

2-Month SiriusXM Aviation Trial

Try 2 months of SiriusXM Aviation’s weather and entertainment to decide if it’s right for you. Click for Offer Details.
2-month trial

Help and support

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Request a radio signal
Haven't flown in a while? We can send a "wake up" signal to your hardware.
Request a signal to your hardware
Aviation coverage map
Service coverage area
SiriusXM Aviation service is available in the contiguous United States, southern Canada and coastal regions.

Canadian pilots, please visit us at siriusxm.ca/aviation.
Explore the coverage map
Need some extra assistance?Call 1-855-796-9847 or email aviation.support@siriusxm.com for personalized help with SiriusXM Aviation. You can also log in to your account if you have account specific issues.

You've got questions?

We've got answers.
How can I temporarily suspend service if I won’t be flying for a while (due to winter weather, maintenance, other)?
You can suspend your SiriusXM Aviation Weather service at no cost for up to 6 months when you are not using it by calling 1-800-985-9200 and asking to suspend.
Are there any long-term subscription requirements for SiriusXM Aviation Weather service?
You can subscribe monthly to SiriusXM Aviation service or annually. The SiriusXM Aviation subscription plan you choose will automatically renew thereafter and you will be charged according to your chosen payment method at then-current rates. Fees and taxes apply. Please see our Customer Agreement for complete terms and how to cancel, which includes calling us at 1-800-985-9200. All fees, content and features are subject to change. You can suspend your Aviation service for up to 6 months at no charge when your plane is not in use. See rebate terms for any subscription term requirements.

Customer Agreement
How often is the SiriusXM Aviation Weather data updated?
SiriusXM Aviation data service elements are updated at multiple rates. Dynamic elements like radar and lightning are updated every 2.5 minutes, while other more stable data elements are updated every 60+ minutes. It's important to note that there are two variables at work with our broadcast weather service: data update rates and transmit intervals. While a product source may be updated every 30 minutes, the same data may be transmitted every 5 minutes to ensure your display is up to date. SiriusXM worked with its avionics partners to arrive at the optimal cadence of updated data and transmit intervals to ensure customers receive critical information in a timely manner.
I live/fly in Canada - where can I purchase SiriusXM Aviation weather service?
SiriusXM Aviation coverage area includes southern Canada. Canadian residents can subscribe to SiriusXM Aviation at siriusxm.ca/aviation.
My Garmin avionics display is showing a SiriusXM subscription status of “None.” How can I resolve this issue?
First, verify with SiriusXM that your receiver has an active subscription. Once verified, follow these steps if your Garmin avionics display continues to show a SiriusXM subscription status of "None":
  1. Power on the avionics and confirm that a strong SiriusXM signal is present on the SXM Info page of the MFD.
  2. Go to siriusxm.com/signal and enter the 8-character Data Radio ID to send a refresh signal.
  3. Manually tune to channel 0.
  4. Wait 5 seconds.
  5. Manually tune to channel 1.
  6. Wait 5 minutes for the signal refresh to complete.
  7. Check whether the subscription status now shows something other than "None." Verify that weather data is being received and displayed on the avionics.
If the issue is not resolved after completing the seven steps above, continue with the following:
  1. If the subscription status continues to display "None," call 1-800-985-9200 and request that the subscription be suspended.
    Note, on certain aircraft managed as part of a fleet within SiriusXM, if SiriusXM customer care cannot suspend the service, they should cancel the service.
  2. Leave the system powered on for 15 minutes after the suspension is initiated, then power down all avionics.
  3. Wait 1 minute, then power the avionics back on.
  4. Confirm that the unit is still tuned to channel 1 and that the subscription status now displays "No Subscription" or is blank.
  5. Call 1-800-985-9200 again and request that the subscription be unsuspended/reactivated to Active status.
  6. Leave the system powered on for 20 minutes.
  7. Verify that the correct "Pilot" weather subscription status is displayed. Confirm that weather data is being received and displayed on the avionics.
  8. If this does not resolve the issue, please email aviation.support@siriusxm.com for further assistance.
OFFER DETAILS: The subscription plan you choose will AUTOMATICALLY RENEW and you will be charged according to your chosen payment method at then-current rates for the plan selected, until you cancel. An initial activation fee may also apply. Applicable tax and other fees may apply. See plan details for all rates. Please see our Customer Agreement at www.siriusxm.com for complete terms including our refund policy and how to cancel, which includes online methods or calling us at 1-800-985-9200. All fees, content, and features are subject to change. Service not available in AK or HI.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The SiriusXM Service may include traffic, weather and other content and emergency alert information and data. Such information and data is not for "safety for life," but is merely supplemental and advisory in nature, and therefore cannot be relied upon as safety critical in connection with any aircraft, sea craft, automobile, or any other usage. Service not available in AK or HI.

1 The availability and display of service features and SiriusXM Audio varies by hardware provider. View Garmin GDL69/ 69A SXM feature compatibility.

2 FAA Advisory Circular: https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/advisory_circular/ac_00-45h.pdf 

3 SiriusXM Satellite Radio audio service sold separately. Satellite Radio may be purchased for a reduced fee with a SiriusXM Aviation package. Audio activation fee is $15 if activated separately from SiriusXM Aviation.