Is Starlink Changing Air Travel for Good?

Shashwat Dwivedi
Jan 16
2 min read

Published: 16 January 2026

Written by: Shashwat Dwivedi

Airlines expand Starlink connectivity as certification progresses across aircraft types

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Back in the day, air travel usually meant being disconnected from the outside world. While there are many passengers who still prefer their flying experience to remain disconnected for a few hours, this is no longer the case for a large portion of travellers.

Although in-flight Wi-Fi has become steadily more available with carriers around the world for more than a decade, the availability of Starlink connectivity on board aircraft is a relatively new development, emerging during the 2020s. An increasing number of airlines are now integrating Starlink systems across their fleets.

Traditional in-flight Wi-Fi has typically been limited to low-speed, mostly text-based communication and basic internet browsing. It has generally not supported bandwidth-intensive activities such as video streaming on platforms like Netflix or YouTube, or real-time applications such as video conferencing.

In recent years, Starlink has emerged as a popular connectivity provider for airlines, enabling passengers to remain connected in flight in much the same way as on the ground.

Qatar Airways has taken this a step further, recently hosting an online gaming competition on board one of its aircraft equipped with Starlink connectivity. AirBaltic was among the earliest airlines to adopt the Starlink system, introducing it in 2023. One of the advantages cited by the airline is the relatively low installation cost, which has enabled the service to be offered free of charge without requiring passengers to provide personal information.

While in-flight Wi-Fi itself is no longer a novelty, Starlink remains a new system and therefore requires certification for each aircraft type before installation can take place.

The following aircraft types are currently equipped with Starlink connectivity:

Airbus: A220, A320, A321neo, A330, A350

Boeing: 737-800, 737 MAX 8, 787-8, 777-200LR, 777-300ER

The 787-9 and 737-900 are expected to receive certification during the current quarter, with the A380 anticipated to follow in the next quarter.

Key facts

Starlink in-flight connectivity has expanded rapidly since the early 2020s, with a growing number of airlines installing the system across short-haul and long-haul fleets.
Unlike traditional in-flight Wi-Fi, Starlink supports higher bandwidth applications, including video streaming and real-time communication, due to its low Earth orbit satellite network.
Certification remains aircraft-specific, with additional approvals expected for types including the Boeing 787-9, Boeing 737-900, and Airbus A380.