SpaceX’s Starlink internet service is continuing to gather momentum among airlines.
On September 26, 2024, Air France became the latest carrier to announce that it will be fitting its entire fleet with Starlink’s low-orbit satellite-based connectivity in order to offer high-speed, free internet to all its passengers.
Starting in the summer of 2025, Air France will be rolling out the new low-latency service progressively. Passengers will then be able to connect to the internet free of charge through their own electronic devices.
However, to access the service, it will be necessary to have a Flying Blue account, but Air France has explained that passengers who are not members of the airline’s frequent flyer program will still be able to sign up and start benefiting from the enhanced cost-less connectivity straight away.
Air France is the second largest carrier to switch its inflight connectivity service after United Airlines made a similar announcement on September 13, 2024.
Other scheduled carriers that have signed up for Elon Musk’s popular internet service include Qatar Airways and Riga-based airBaltic, both in the process of installing it onboard their fleets, and Hawaiian Airlines, which has been offering the service since February 2024.
The Hawaiian carrier announced on September 25, 2024, that it had already completed Starlink’s installation on its entire Airbus A330 fleet of 24 aircraft.
