Starlink Takes to the Skies: Inflight Internet Expansion
Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, is finding a growing audience among airlines. According to the company's 2025 report, more than 1,400 commercial planes around the world are already outfitted with the system. Over 40 carriers have announced partnerships with Starlink, and passengers can use the connection at no cost. The rollout schedules stretch through 2029.
The Starlink constellation currently includes nearly 11,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. Among the carriers that have already brought the service onboard:
- Qatar Airways, which has deployed Starlink across its entire Boeing 777 fleet and is now equipping Airbus A350s.
- United Airlines, which has equipped more than 400 aircraft; travelers get a pre-flight notification when their plane is Starlink-enabled.
- Emirates, which has begun installing Starlink on Airbus A380s and expects to outfit its full fleet by mid-2027.
- British Airways, which offers Starlink on certain planes and is gradually expanding the program.
- Southwest Airlines, which intends to add the system to more than 300 aircraft this year.
Lufthansa, Air France, Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air have also announced Starlink implementation schedules for 2026-2029. During a Business Insider test aboard Qatar Airways' first Starlink-enabled flight, peak connection speed reached 215 Mbps. Travelers can verify whether their flight has Starlink when booking tickets, in pre-departure messages, or through the airline's mobile app. The free Starlink Flights service also highlights which aircraft are equipped, although last-minute plane substitutions mean its data isn't always 100% accurate.
Airlines Installing Starlink
The list of carriers putting Starlink in their cabins includes:
- Aer Lingus
- airBaltic
- Air France
- Air New Zealand
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Copa Airlines
- Emirates
- FlyDubai
- Frontier Airlines
- Gulf Air
- Iberia
- Korean Air
- Lufthansa
- Qatar Airways
- SAS
- Singapore Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Swiss International Air Lines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Vueling
- WestJet
- Wizz Air
- Zipair
- and dozens of others
Starlink is fundamentally changing how airlines provide wireless connectivity, adding a new level of comfort for passengers. The growing interest from carriers also signals a shift in inflight service standards. For airlines, offering this technology strengthens the passenger experience and sharpens their competitive edge. As more companies move ahead with Starlink, inflight communications are likely to keep evolving, opening fresh opportunities for airlines and travelers alike.
As airlines continue to enhance passenger experiences with features like free in-flight Wi-Fi, the demand for long-haul travel options is also evolving. Recently, Qantas successfully tested a direct flight from London to Sydney, showcasing how airlines are adapting to meet traveler needs in an increasingly connected world.