The Internet is in the air. Starlink service to arrive at airlines at the beginning of 2026
When we get on a plane, we know we're going to be cut off from the world for a few hours. For many, a trip is the perfect opportunity to stop using their phones, while it can be a nuisance for others. This category of people can rely on in-flight Wi-Fi, but the connections offered by some airlines are not completely reliable due to slow connectivity and being prone to interruptions. However, thanks to a partnership between IAG Group and Starlink, this situation will change forever, with high-speed Wi-Fi service being provided on Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus, and British Airways aircraft from early 2026.
This service will allow passengers to stay connected during flights with improved download and upload speeds, enabling them to access games, stream content without interruption, and download files quickly. Furthermore, IAG's partnership with Starlink will provide high-speed Wi-Fi on more than 500 aircraft, covering all flights.
As for its availability, as mentioned, this service will arrive in early 2026 and will be free for passengers, although each airline will be able to implement its own system to access it.
Starlink continues to expand its certifications and compliant aircraft with this partnership. Elon Musk's company adapts to the needs of each airline to provide the best hardware services, allowing passengers to connect to the internet during flights.
According to Starlink's official website, it has "provided high-speed, low-latency internet service to tens of thousands of flights, keeping passengers connected from the moment they board their planes and throughout their journeys around the world." It also provides telephone support, specialized account management, and specialized teams to keep the service stable during flights.
But how can Starlink be connected to this network? Space optical lasers transmit data across the constellation, providing continuous service in areas far from SpaceX ground stations, over the open oceans, and in polar regions. Furthermore, it is important to note that the Starlink constellation has more than 9000 lasers that transmit more than 10 petabytes of data traffic per day to maintain a connection at 100 Gbps.