Recently we’ve seen several airlines announce plans to introduce Starlink Wi-Fi, including airBaltic, Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, United, and WestJet. Hawaiian Airlines is probably going at the fastest pace when it comes to actually installing Starlink Wi-Fi. The airline has now reached a significant milestone when it comes to this, so I wanted to cover everything you need to know.
In this post:
All Hawaiian Airlines Airbus jets now have Starlink Wi-Fi
Earlier this year, Hawaiian Airlines started the process of rolling out free, high speed Wi-Fi, and the carrier’s pace has been nothing short of impressive. Two of Hawaiian’s aircraft types now have Starlink Wi-Fi installed:
- All 18 Hawaiian Airbus A321neos feature Starlink Wi-Fi; the first jet got the system in February 2024, and the installation was completed by May 2024
- All 24 Hawaiian Airbus A330-200s feature Starlink Wi-Fi; the first jet got the system in June 2024, and the installation was completed by September 2024
Hawaiian’s Wi-Fi is being offered in partnership with SpaceX Starlink, which is the fastest inflight connectivity that you’ll find on any airline. Starlink offers reliable high speed, low latency inflight internet. With latency as low as 30ms, passengers can stream video content and much more.
Historically Hawaiian hasn’t offered any inflight Wi-Fi, which makes this development all the more exciting. It’s not even that Hawaiian is upgrading its Wi-Fi or making it free, but the airline is introducing it in the first place. How cool to go from no Wi-Fi, to high speed Wi-Fi that’s free.
It’s not often you see an airline roll out Wi-Fi this quickly, so it’s a testament to how easily Starlink can be installed, once it’s certified to be offered on a particular aircraft.
Hawaiian Airlines 787 will get Starlink Wi-Fi soon
With Hawaiian Airlines now having installed Wi-Fi on Airbus A321neos and Airbus A330-200s, next up for this installation is the Boeing 787-9 fleet. Now, the timeline for Hawaiian’s 787s getting Wi-Fi isn’t so clear. I’ve heard that installation could start as of later this year, though only time will tell.
Keep in mind that Hawaiian just recently started taking delivery of Boeing 787-9s (with new business class suites). So far the airline only has two of these aircraft in its fleet, so it might be more challenging to take those planes out of service, in order to be able to install this.
Hawaiian’s only other aircraft type is the Boeing 717, and the airline doesn’t plan to offer connectivity on those aircraft. That’s because these planes are used exclusively for inter-island flights, and those are very short.
Keep in mind that Alaska Airlines recently acquired Hawaiian. While the two airlines are now both part of Alaska Air Group, the carriers are expected to maintain their individual branding. It remains to be seen what Alaska’s future holds for Wi-Fi. The airline has Viasat Wi-Fi that’s fast and usually reasonably priced. With United also moving toward offering free Starlink Wi-Fi, there’s more pressure to compete.
Bottom line
Hawaiian Airlines is rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi at an impressive pace. At this point, all of the carrier’s A321neos and A330-200s feature Wi-Fi. This is a treat for passengers, who can enjoy fast and free connectivity.
The plan is to eventually install Wi-Fi on the 787-9s, while the 717s won’t be getting Wi-Fi. Given Alaska’s takeover of Hawaiian, we’ll see how this plays out in the long run, as free Wi-Fi increasingly becomes the norm rather than the exception.
What do you make of Hawaiian Airlines’ Starlink Wi-Fi?
I just flew first class from Honolulu to Austin this past Sunday on Hawaiian Airlines. I didn't know ahead of time, so was delighted to be able to connect with Starlink with an easy click on my phone. While it had to be refreshed a few times as I wasn't using it constantly, it worked well. Welcome to the future!!!
Honestly Free High Speed WiFI for all Canada and US flights are going to be the norm for all US full service airlines soon, so I think Alaska offering Free Wi-FI is just a matter of when.
Not sure if I am a big fan of Hawaii, but with this link up, I may fly one of the Hawaiian Korea/Japan to US flights in 2025. Now I just need the 787 to work those...
Honestly Free High Speed WiFI for all Canada and US flights are going to be the norm for all US full service airlines soon, so I think Alaska offering Free Wi-FI is just a matter of when.
Not sure if I am a big fan of Hawaii, but with this link up, I may fly one of the Hawaiian Korea/Japan to US flights in 2025. Now I just need the 787 to work those Japan flights soon.
On a separate note, I hope Hawaiian Airlines will soon change their menu cycle from every six months to every four months, and then eventually every three months.
If HA can install it that fast with their limited resources, imagine what United can do…
Hope to have the opportunity to use it in-flight soon! FYI - recently a close friend here in Mexico got Starlink. He lives in the country where there is no cable service. I can tell you first hand, it is fantastic and extremely competitive price-wise. I'm thinking seriously about ditching my cable provider next year (when my yearly subscription discount comes up for renewal). Glad to see airlines are jumping on board with this incredible WIFI provider.
Had it last week. Hands down much better than United's, American's or Alaska's across the Pacific. More consistent, great speeds and no restrictions on video or audio streaming (looking at you United).