Quantcast

Starlink transforms inflight connectivity: Airlines offer faster Wi-Fi

Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights
Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago
White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears
Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East
Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York
Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight
Garuda Indonesia and Japan Airlines (JAL) Form Joint Business Agreement — What To Know
Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
American Airlines welcomes JetSMART to the award-winning AAdvantage program
Explore Japan for free? Japan Airlines offers free domestic flights to foreign travelers
Starlink transforms inflight connectivity: Airlines offer faster Wi-Fi
Policy
Webp ce12j9cthweiupw4t58m92m5r97h
Geoffrey Thomas Editor-In-Chief - US Bureau Chief | Airline Ratings

For years, airplane Wi-Fi was a service many passengers found lacking. Slow speeds and high costs often made it an unattractive option for travelers seeking connectivity in the skies. However, the advent of Starlink's satellite internet system is transforming this landscape.

Starlink utilizes low-Earth orbit satellites to provide high-speed, low-latency internet globally. This includes coverage over oceans and remote areas where traditional inflight Wi-Fi typically struggles. As a result, passengers can now enjoy fast enough speeds for streaming video, smooth video calls, and cloud-based work. On some airlines, the service is even offered for free.

Several airlines are adopting Starlink Wi-Fi in 2025. In North America, Hawaiian Airlines offers free Starlink Wi-Fi on its Airbus A330 and A321neo aircrafts with plans to extend it to Boeing 787s soon. United Airlines plans to introduce Starlink on regional jets by the end of 2025 and begin mainline aircraft installations in 2024. WestJet provides free access to its rewards members and TELUS customers on narrow-body aircrafts starting in 2025.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

In Europe, Air France will launch free Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet of over 200 aircrafts during summer 2025 despite some limitations in specific airspaces. SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) plans a rollout starting late 2025 with complimentary access for all passengers. AirBaltic has already equipped its entire fleet with free Starlink internet.

In Asia & Oceania, Qatar Airways currently offers free Starlink Wi-Fi on select Boeing 777s and aims for full rollout across its 777 and A350 fleets by the end of the year with gate-to-gate internet access available to all passengers. Air New Zealand is testing Starlink on two aircraft types as part of a trial phase before committing to a full fleet implementation.

The shift towards enhanced inflight connectivity is driven by competition among airlines striving to improve passenger experience through comfort and entertainment options such as reliable Wi-Fi services.

As more airlines integrate fast satellite internet into their offerings, they align better with passenger expectations for seamless online experiences while traveling.

Passengers interested in having quality Wi-Fi during flights should verify if their chosen airline supports Starlink before booking tickets.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

UPS has operated one of the longest direct air cargo routes in the United States since 2018, connecting Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Kentucky with Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates.

Aug 2, 2025

The Boeing 737 MAX 10 is the largest version of the 737 family, designed to compete with the Airbus A321neo.

Aug 2, 2025

Russian airline Aeroflot reported significant flight disruptions on Monday, July 28, due to a failure in its information systems.

Aug 2, 2025

After more than four years, American Airlines will reintroduce its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft on the New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) route starting October 6.

Aug 2, 2025

The Airbus A321XLR, which entered service in late 2024, is now the longest-range narrowbody aircraft available.

Aug 2, 2025

The Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 are the only commercial jetliners with a partial or full second passenger deck, and both have left a significant mark on aviation history.

Aug 2, 2025