Good news for European digital nomads and business travelers: the airlines are starting to test Startlink internet on board!
The Latvian airline airBaltic plans to do this introduce high-speed internet powered by Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite-based internet service, to its fleet in the first quarter of 2025. This move makes airBaltic the first airline in Europe to offer innovative technology and promise its passengers a seamless in-flight connectivity experience.
The announcement underlines airBaltic’s commitment to staying at the forefront of digital innovation and customer service. “With Starlink we will offer the fastest and most reliable in-flight internet in Europe for free to all passengers,” said Martin Gauss, CEO of airBaltic. “It allows travelers to enjoy streaming, gaming and other data-intensive applications while in the air, at speeds comparable to what they experience at home or in the office.”
Starlink, developed by SpaceX, uses a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet. The service is particularly suitable for in-flight connectivity, allowing real-time streaming and communication with minimal interruptions. Gauss added: “This is a game-changer in the way we look at air travel connectivity, and we are proud to be leading the way in Europe.”
The Starlink rollout will initially involve AirBaltic’s fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The airline, which operates more than 100 routes across Europe, the Middle East and the CIS, sees this as a crucial step in improving the passenger experience and maintaining its competitive advantage in the market.
Air France has that too announced plans to begin deploying Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet from the 2025 summer seasonAvailable exclusively to Flying Blue loyalty program members.
The growing adoption of Starlink among US airlines
Although airBaltic will be the first European airline to implement Starlink, several US-based airlines have already adopted the technology. Hawaiian Airlines and JSX were among the first to announce their plans to offer Starlink-powered internet Delta Air Lines and American Airlines also reportedly testing or considering its implementation. These developments highlight a growing trend in the aviation industry as airlines recognize the importance of delivering robust and uninterrupted internet services to meet the expectations of modern travelers.
The adoption of Starlink by airBaltic and other airlines reflects a broader shift towards redefining in-flight connectivity standards, with passengers increasingly viewing high-speed internet as an essential service rather than a luxury.
