Air France is continuing to reinforce its position as Europe’s most premium global airline, as the company has announced plans to launch free high speed Wi-Fi.
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Air France plans to offer free Starlink Wi-Fi
Air France has signed an agreement with SpaceX, to introduce Starlink Wi-Fi throughout its fleet. Best of all, Air France plans to offer Starlink Wi-Fi for free for all members of its Flying Blue loyalty program (which is free to sign-up for), and members can connect with multiple devices.
Starlink is known for its high-speed, low-latency broadband internet, and the service will be offered gate to gate. Starlink Wi-Fi will allow for live streaming, productivity similar to on the ground (with high upload and download speeds), gaming, e-commerce, and more.
Starlink is becoming increasingly popular with airlines. So far we’ve seen carriers like airBaltic, Air New Zealand, Hawaiian Airlines, Qatar Airways, United, and WestJet, all announce plans to install the service.
What’s also great about Starlink is that the installation process is pretty quick, once aircraft are certified to have it installed.
Air France’s Starlink Wi-Fi rollout plan
So far, Air France isn’t being very specific about the timeline for Starlink Wi-Fi being rolled out. The airline states that this will be introduced from the summer of 2025 onwards, and that over time, this will be introduced on all Air France aircraft (including the regional fleet), replacing the current offering.
So it’s anyone’s guess when the project will be completed. While the installation process for Starlink is faster than with other inflight Wi-Fi providers, it’s still quite an undertaking, given the size of Air France’s fleet. I’d expect this will take well over a year, best case scenario, and most likely a couple of years.
During the transitional period, Air France will continue to offer its existing Wi-Fi plans, which include a free messaging pass for Flying Blue members, plus paid Wi-Fi options for all others, as well as those looking for internet surfing and streaming. Air France La Premiere (first class) and Flying Blue Ultimate customers will continue to receive complimentary Wi-Fi during this transition period.
Bottom line
Air France will introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi for Flying Blue members. This will progressively be rolled out as of the summer of 2025, though we don’t yet know when the project will be completed.
It’s awesome to see that free high speed Wi-Fi is increasingly becoming an industry standard. I’m also delighted to see Air France be the first global European carrier to introduce this service. I’m not surprised, as the airline is definitely the most focused on being premium.
What do you make of Air France introducing free Starlink Wi-Fi?
Yeah but . . . WiFi on the *new* A350-900s (fleetwide) have a technical issue that will not be resolved until 2026. This issue does not affect *old* A350s. If you are on an affected aircraft, you will receive an email notice stating WiFi will not be available on your flight.
Sounds very Premium.
technical hiccups and challenges are part of the rollout and operation of something like global high speed WiFI
It's more notable that AF will have more global high speed WiFi than any other European global airline in a couple of years - maybe even in a year
Certainly. But, when one specifically selects the *new* A350-900 because it has the new Opera business class suite, one needs to be aware that there's a trade-off. And, that trade-off will last until 2026. It's a hassle. And, in two years, reliable high-speed service will be common among carriers. It feels sort of like the Hubble Space Telescope. Oh, yeah, it's great . . . once it's fixed in two years.
I hope connectivity is improved over the pole especially since it'll be a while before most carriers use Russian airspace again.
This is great and will certainly make many customers happy.
Certainly DL's influence in AF's boardroom played a part; AF looks to be the first of the big Euro carriers to offer free WIFI.
yes, it will take time. It will be interesting to see how fast Starlink can deliver receivers.
Let's also see if KL joins the party.
AF/KL have little to no use over the Pacific where UA needs them most; UA needs little use of Starlink over Asia where a big chunk...
Certainly DL's influence in AF's boardroom played a part; AF looks to be the first of the big Euro carriers to offer free WIFI.
yes, it will take time. It will be interesting to see how fast Starlink can deliver receivers.
Let's also see if KL joins the party.
AF/KL have little to no use over the Pacific where UA needs them most; UA needs little use of Starlink over Asia where a big chunk of AF/KL flights pass. THe N. Atlantic will be big for everyone. Could be a very complimentary addition of airlines for Starlink
@ Tim Dunn -- Lol...
just tell me that I am wrong...
You seem to think that DL wags the tail at VS... you do realize that AF/KL is about 10% owned by DL as well?
AF/KL carries more DL passengers than any other partner. If DL wants a consistent product, AF/KL is the first partner to look to
@ Tim Dunn -- Before I address the rest of your comment, did I miss when Delta greatly increased its stake in Air France-KLM? According to the AFKL investors page, Delta owns a 3.1% stake.
https://www.airfranceklm.com/en/finance/air-france-klm-capital/shareholding-structure
and your point?
We all know that DL has an outsized influence on Virgin Atlantic
The fact that you seriously don't think that DL has an oversized level of influence with its partners - and AF/KL/DL/VS IS the world's largest joint venture is the real surprise.
and as hard as it is for you to admit, DL has advantages with its partners that AA and UA simply do not have with theirs.
@ Tim Dunn -- What's my point? You claimed that Delta has big influence over AFKL in large part because it has a 10% stake, I responded by saying it's a 3.1% stake, and you responded by not acknowledging the mistake, and continuing on.
I don't think it's worth debating this, because it's not like you can ever acknowledge when you get something wrong, or try to see things from the perspective of others....
@ Tim Dunn -- What's my point? You claimed that Delta has big influence over AFKL in large part because it has a 10% stake, I responded by saying it's a 3.1% stake, and you responded by not acknowledging the mistake, and continuing on.
I don't think it's worth debating this, because it's not like you can ever acknowledge when you get something wrong, or try to see things from the perspective of others. It's bizarre to me how you make completely inaccurate claims as fact, and then just gloss over it when it's pointed out. I make mistakes all the time, but I acknowledge them, and thank people for pointing them out.
Tim, you should shut up sometimes and admit defeat. Delta has a share of around 3% in AFKL and have absolutely no influence in how they operate. The only say is the JV transatlantic and the key word is joint. As for the rest of the world, Delta has no say.
And yet AF will be the first of the big Euros to go for free high speed WiFi.
You are beyond ignorant if you think that what DL is doing didn't influence AF.
You and others simply can't bring yourself to admit that DL has invested -and lost and then reinvested again billions of dollars into a half dozen airlines in order to have some level of control that goes beyond what AA and UA...
And yet AF will be the first of the big Euros to go for free high speed WiFi.
You are beyond ignorant if you think that what DL is doing didn't influence AF.
You and others simply can't bring yourself to admit that DL has invested -and lost and then reinvested again billions of dollars into a half dozen airlines in order to have some level of control that goes beyond what AA and UA have in their JVs.
Defeat is you trying to argue that any rational company would spend billions and get nothing in return.
Did you truly just fall off the turnip truck?
Ironically, Tim. Delta did invest billions pre-pandemic and lost most of it. aka. got nothing in return. Now they have significantly lower equity holdings in most partners vs pre-pandemic.
Respectfully Delta has no say in what AFKL do. AFKL also generally offer a far superior service and product.
If you don't think that DL doesn't have influence in the companies in which it has equity - and often a board seat - you simply don't want to admit that DL did something with buying equity in multiple airlines.
DO you honestly think that DL spent billions of dollars buying into other airlines and doesn't have any say so?
If so, you and Ben are hopelessly ignorant - to be honest and blunt
Tim, you are tedious. As if 2023 DL has an 2.8% equity in AFKL. Employees have 3.2% !
Personally I know more inside info than you . Delta has absolutely NO say in how AFKL conduct business.
It is laughable to think that a ~3% stake results in driving the strategy and operational decisions of a company.
For that matter, China Eastern has a ~5% stake - are they able to override Delta's input? Or are they the brilliant mastermind behind these completely unprecedented, novel moves that couldn't possibly just be obvious decisions for an airline with the positioning and brand strategy that Air France has?
The strangest thing always remains...
It is laughable to think that a ~3% stake results in driving the strategy and operational decisions of a company.
For that matter, China Eastern has a ~5% stake - are they able to override Delta's input? Or are they the brilliant mastermind behind these completely unprecedented, novel moves that couldn't possibly just be obvious decisions for an airline with the positioning and brand strategy that Air France has?
The strangest thing always remains though: why Tim Dunn cares so much about these assertions. Why does Delta need to be the brilliant strategist behind any airline they invest in? Why does it matter to you that Delta is beyond reproach? It's weird...
@ Tim Dunn -- Okay, I'll play for a second. It's completely baseless and absurd to suggest that the reason that Air France is becoming more premium is because of Delta.
Quite to the contrary, ever since Ben Smith took over as CEO of Air France-KLM, he has made it clear that he wants to bring Air France upmarket. From day one. The people he has appointed under his tenure obviously reflect that goal as...
@ Tim Dunn -- Okay, I'll play for a second. It's completely baseless and absurd to suggest that the reason that Air France is becoming more premium is because of Delta.
Quite to the contrary, ever since Ben Smith took over as CEO of Air France-KLM, he has made it clear that he wants to bring Air France upmarket. From day one. The people he has appointed under his tenure obviously reflect that goal as well.
France as a country is viewed as a leader for fashion, gastronomy, etc., and he has wants the national carrier to reflect that.
As much as you want to believe that Delta deserves credit for everything amazing in the world, that's simply completely baseless. Let's look at the changes at Air France:
-- Air France is investing in Starlink Wi-Fi, something that Delta hasn't done, but United has
-- Air France is investing in La Premiere first class, a product that Delta doesn't offer
-- Air France has invested in the A350-1000 (the greatest plane in the history of the universe, as you often claim), and ordered that before Delta did
-- Air France is investing in making the Flying Blue program more lucrative, including making low priced premium cabin saver awards available, unlike Delta
-- Air France has invested in new premium seats, which are totally different than the seats that Delta has ordered
The list goes on, and on, and on, and on. This is quite different than the Virgin Atlantic situation. Delta owns a huge stake in Virgin Atlantic, and obviously had input in the airline ordering A330-900neos, choosing the same business class seat, etc. But that's not the case at Air France.
Like, do you think Ed Bastian is calling Ben Smith and is advising him to order a different business class seat, use a different Wi-Fi provider, invest in different cabins, take a different approach to its frequent flyer program, etc.? Does that logic make sense to you?
For that matter, looking at Air France-KLM, you'll see that KLM isn't being brought upmarket in the same way. While there are investments there as well, there's a very different strategy at the two airlines. Is Delta also to credit for the less upmarket strategy at KLM?
I'm not even sure why I bothered responding to you, though. You never acknowledge when anyone makes a valid point, and if you don't like the answer someone gives, you just start rattling off something else about how Delta is the most profitable airline, etc. Oy. I mean, I guess the biggest compliment from you is when you try to change the topic, as it's your way of acknowledging you're in the wrong.
I'm glad to see that you spent hours preparing a response but you didn't even address what I wrote and instead argued something different.
I simply said that DL influenced AF's decision to install free global high speed WiFi.
If you or anyone else is naive enough to think that DL spent (and lost) billions of dollars on equity partnerships across the world and don't have influence on what goes on with those airlines,...
I'm glad to see that you spent hours preparing a response but you didn't even address what I wrote and instead argued something different.
I simply said that DL influenced AF's decision to install free global high speed WiFi.
If you or anyone else is naive enough to think that DL spent (and lost) billions of dollars on equity partnerships across the world and don't have influence on what goes on with those airlines, I truly have pity for you.
AF is a very good airline in its own right... but DL does sink its money into those airlines - in any amount -not because they are good financial investments - Air France KLM stock performance stinks - but because DL intends ot influence the outcome of those airlines.
@Tim Dunce I can assure you Delta with its 2.8% interest in the AFKL group **DID NOT** have any influence on what AF does with regards to, for example, WiFi, aircraft purchases, seating configuration or meals.
AF employees have a greater interest in stock as well as a say in what the company does than Delta has or will ever do. In fact China Eastern has a greater share (4.6%) in the group than Delta’s (2.8%).
Arrête de faire le clown que tu es !! Imbécile
Do you really believe a French company will take direction from an American one ?? Please name the delta staff on the board …
Tim, I think you need to hear this…you are never wrong:)
Take a deep breath and relax
wow. For once in his life, Tim Dunn walked away from an argument everyone else realized he lost in the first post.
oh, I didn't walk away.
I had other things to do and took note of the people that are convinced I have no idea what I am talking about and can't admit that DL runs the best airline and the best business.
AA,DL and UA all EACH have a laundry list of partnerships.
Anyone that thinks that DL doesn't share what it has learned - including the value of WiFi - with its partners - is beyond naive.
lol. Oh Tim. you're too funny. Yes... I'm sure AF had NO IDEA the value of wifi and had to ask Delta what it is, how to market it, etc. lol
"took note of the people that are convinced I have no idea what I am talking about"
It's funny. Can you name a single person that thinks you know what you're talking about? There isn't a single aviation-related website that hasn't either 1....
lol. Oh Tim. you're too funny. Yes... I'm sure AF had NO IDEA the value of wifi and had to ask Delta what it is, how to market it, etc. lol
"took note of the people that are convinced I have no idea what I am talking about"
It's funny. Can you name a single person that thinks you know what you're talking about? There isn't a single aviation-related website that hasn't either 1. banned you or 2. considered banning you or mentioned specifically how no one cares what you think...
Grow up and join reality. It's a beautiful day. Ok... it isn't in Atlanta where you live. But it is elsewhere
Stop sounding so stupid. Ben spent "hours preparing a response"? lol. You don't even seem to know how a clock works if you can't tell he responded to you in about 25 minutes. It's bad enough you don't live in reality, at least try to learn how a clock works.
And he actually responded to what you wrote. Not your random 4 new topics you attempted to misdirect to when proven wrong, as usual.
Do you even realize how dumb you sound?
Tell us the value that AA and UA get from their JVs and then compare that to DL’s equity JVs
I know you and others desperately want to believe DL gets no advantage from its equity relationships but you couldn’t be more wrong
No one ever said Delta doesn't get benefit from their JVs. Of course they do. but you're an idiot if you think 3% is doing anything more for Delta than AA or UA get from their Atlantic JVs. China Eastern owns more of AF/KL than Delta. and by your standard, has a greater say than Delta.
But again, now we're talking about "value" in the relationship vs AA and UA and you suggest others are...
No one ever said Delta doesn't get benefit from their JVs. Of course they do. but you're an idiot if you think 3% is doing anything more for Delta than AA or UA get from their Atlantic JVs. China Eastern owns more of AF/KL than Delta. and by your standard, has a greater say than Delta.
But again, now we're talking about "value" in the relationship vs AA and UA and you suggest others are saying Delta gets no advantage. Just another example of you trying to change the subject and make Sh*t up when you're proven wrong and know it. You always try to change the subject to one that nobody else is now on except yourself because you know you've lost.
So typical and sad of you, Tim