The Future of In-Flight Wi-Fi: Fast, Reliable, and Free?
Air travel is on the cusp of a revolution, with reliable and fast Wi-Fi set to become the norm on full-service carriers. According to Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran, this shift will be driven by the adoption of cutting-edge technology, such as SpaceX’s Starlink services.
Starlink, which uses a constellation of over 6,000 satellites to provide high-speed internet, is being hailed as the latest “must-have” amenity for airlines. Air New Zealand has already announced plans to install Starlink services on two domestic aircraft in late 2024, allowing passengers to stream videos and send instant messages on multiple devices.
However, the rollout of Starlink services has been pushed back to 2025, with Foran revealing that the airline will begin testing the technology on one of its turbo props and one of its jets early next year.
United Airlines has also jumped on the Starlink bandwagon, signing the industry’s largest agreement for the service to date. The airline plans to begin testing in 2025, with a view to rolling out Starlink to its entire fleet of over 1,000 planes over the next few years.
What sets Starlink apart from other in-flight Wi-Fi services is its ability to provide fast and reliable internet access across the globe, including in remote and previously unreachable areas. And the best part? Both Air New Zealand and United Airlines have pledged to offer Starlink services to customers for free, or as part of their airfare, eliminating the need for passengers to purchase Wi-Fi mid-flight.
As the demand for in-flight connectivity continues to grow, it’s clear that Starlink is poised to become the internet provider of choice in the skies. With deals already inked with major carriers like Hawaiian Airlines and Air France, it’s only a matter of time before fast, reliable, and free Wi-Fi becomes the norm on flights around the world.
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