For the first time, a major US airline is adopting SpaceX’s satellite internet system Starlink to supply in-flight Wi-Fi.
On Monday, Hawaiian Airlines announced the partnership, which will provide free high-speed, low latency Wi-Fi for passengers. “When we launch with Starlink we will have the best connectivity experience available in the air,” says Hawaiian Airlines CEO Peter Ingram.
The deal promises to offer passengers access to in-flight broadband with download rates from 50Mbps to 150Mbps or higher, far faster than current in-flight internet speeds, which can often only reach around a mere 1Mbps. “We waited until technology caught up with our high standards for guest experience, but it will be worth the wait,” Ingram added.
The deal arrives just days after jet service provider JSX, which operates in 13 US cities, also announced plans to use Starlink. Delta Air Lines has also confirmed it's testing Starlink. So don’t be surprised if SpaceX’s satellite internet service gains greater adoption across the airline industry. However, SpaceX still needs to secure approval from the FCC before it can begin officially operating Starlink on planes in the US.
JSX aims to begin offering the Starlink access by this year’s fourth quarter, if not sooner, according to CNBC. Hawaiian Airlines, on the other hand, won’t begin installing the necessary Starlink equipment until next year on company aircraft models including the Airbus A330, A321, and Boeing 787 to 789.
Hawaiian Airlines plans on offering the Starlink service during flights between the Hawaiian islands and the US, Asia and Oceania, but not on short flights across the islands. “Connecting to the internet will be seamless when guests walk on board, without registration pages or payment portals,” the airline added.