In recent times, we’ve seen many airlines announce their intent to introduce Starlink Wi-Fi. In early 2026, Lufthansa Group revealed plans to roll out this service. There’s now a positive update, as the first aircraft with Starlink will enter service very shortly. However, expect for it to take years before all Lufthansa Group flights are fitted with the service (which the company somehow describes as an “ambitious project timeline,” perhaps true only in comparison to the Allegris rollout).
In this post:
Starlink coming to Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, ITA, etc.
Lufthansa Group plans to introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi across all planes on all member airlines. So this includes 850+ planes, including those belonging to Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Eurowings, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss, etc. Starlink will be free for all passengers who have a Miles & More Travel ID, which is free to register for.
Starlink Wi-Fi rollout will be starting very shortly — the first Lufthansa Airbus A320neo with Starlink will enter service as of August 19, 2026, and I believe it’s the plane with the registration code D-AINM. So it sounds like the initial focus is on the regional Lufthansa fleet, which isn’t too surprising.
The catch is that the rollout of this service across member airlines won’t be completed until some point in 2029, and that’s a best case scenario timeline. Beyond the initial rollout, it’s anyone’s guess the order in which planes will receive the service, so all we can do is speculate.
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, and dozens of airlines have now committed to the service. I’ve had several flights with Starlink, and as someone who values inflight connectivity, I find this to be a game changer.
Here’s how Lufthansa Group Chief Commercial Officer Dieter Vranckx describes this development:
“I am excited to announce the launch of the new Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi on board our Group aircraft. With it, we’re making high-speed internet an integral part of the travel experience – across all travel classes and on all Lufthansa Group airlines: That is how we understand premium. By 2029, all of the Group’s approximately 850 aircraft will be equipped with the technology. Our product promise doesn’t end with the seats or the menu – today, connectivity is also an integral part of a truly outstanding onboard experience.”
This is great news, but we’ll have to be patient
Admittedly Lufthansa Group was the last of the “big three” European airline groups to announce plans to roll out Starlink Wi-Fi. However, what makes Lufthansa Group special here is that the company is rolling out Starlink across all airlines and fleets.
That’s different than Air France-KLM (where it’s not planned for KLM or Transavia, as of now) or IAG (where it’s not planned for Vueling, as of now). So it’s nice to see that Lufthansa Group is planning this level of consistency.
Admittedly a lot of patience will be required, as the rollout is expected to take over three years. My hope at least is that Lufthansa Group works through each airline pretty quickly, to create some consistency.
One would think the priority will be the two “flagship” airlines, Lufthansa and SWISS, since that’s where the company is most hoping to compete among premium customers. At the same time, those are also the airlines that currently have the best Wi-Fi systems. Meanwhile carriers like Brussels Airlines don’t offer Wi-Fi at all, so are really most in need of connectivity, but also don’t really have premium positioning.
Bottom line
Lufthansa Group has plans to roll out free Starlink Wi-Fi across airlines, so that includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, ITA, Eurowings, Edelweiss, etc. The service will be introduced on the first plane (a Lufthansa Airbus A320neo) as of August 19, 2026, with rollout expected to be completed by some point in 2029… hopefully.
While Lufthansa Group is the last of the “big three” European carriers to announce Starlink plans, the company is unique for intending to introduce the service across all carriers.
What do you make of Lufthansa Group’s Starlink announcement?
IAG did announce it would go on Vueling https://www.iairgroup.com/media/gzpmgymy/20251106-iag-starlink-partnership-press-notice.pdf
Astounding that new factory delivered 787s and A350s are not getting them when they join the fleet !
They do, your information is false
In what way is it "free" ?
I'd prefer if we called it 'included,' because nothing is really ever 'free,' so much as you'd need to purchase a ticket to be on the plane to use the WiFi, but, I feel like that's pretty semantic.
@1990
I find it a great idea. Just hope I am still alive and flying when it gets to me. Maybe Carson can bury me in an Allegris seat with Starlink attached. And if it's not too hard on him, he can cater my final leg with roast goose.
WiFi makes flying bearable. I use it every flight to work.
Starlink is one of the greatest inventions in the last 100 years.
Amazon internet? lol, no thanks. Their rockets keep blowing up. Space X launches some of their satellites - they can barely do it themselves. Starlink is YEARS ahead. And faster.
@Don- Agree with every single point you make. Even if I don't use it for a short hop it's nice that it's at least available. For anything over 2 hours though I think airlines really need wifi nowadays and I will actively seek out competition or take a connection if it means I am better connected.
Space x rockets aren't the most reliable either....
Falcon 9 launched 685 times, 2 fails. Not bad. Not a fan of dope smoker Elon. But his products are usually quality.
Perhaps the German nationals who visit this website can throw more light upon this subject?
Free WiFi in Germany was very slow to be rolled out to customers in cafes and bars, etc. Is this part of the German mindset that WiFi should not be universally available with free access?
German here:
- Generally Germany is technologically always a bit behind, I guess it comes from the conservative mindset
- Free WiFi did roll out to cafes and stuff a bit slower but I would still say okish, nowadays we also have it in most public transport (even if it normally is shit)
- I regularly fly LX and LH, LX is lagging behind even further, but also on LH internet is generally...
German here:
- Generally Germany is technologically always a bit behind, I guess it comes from the conservative mindset
- Free WiFi did roll out to cafes and stuff a bit slower but I would still say okish, nowadays we also have it in most public transport (even if it normally is shit)
- I regularly fly LX and LH, LX is lagging behind even further, but also on LH internet is generally unusable.
- In Germany mobile Internet is quite expensive, my feeling is that WiFi is still more sought after than in other countries due to this fact.
Aero, where've you been? I see that comment was from January 2026, so a while back. Have you been on vacation all August, or are you taking a break on your commentary here?
Lufthansa still haven't finished their inflight facsimile rollout from 1992.
Given LH’s fantastic record of rolling out an entirely new and already obsolete and incredibly over engineered product, I can’t even imagine how long this will take them. Then we have AF who has already rolled this out on many routes (luckily the ones I take) and I can tell you it’s a delight and works extremely well amd across devices.
For those worried about extra noise, AF also very politely, yet firmly, reminds...
Given LH’s fantastic record of rolling out an entirely new and already obsolete and incredibly over engineered product, I can’t even imagine how long this will take them. Then we have AF who has already rolled this out on many routes (luckily the ones I take) and I can tell you it’s a delight and works extremely well amd across devices.
For those worried about extra noise, AF also very politely, yet firmly, reminds passengers to use earphones in order to respect the silence of other passengers.
AF running circles around LH.
There is now way LH Group will finish the roll out in this decade.
I agree with you Marlo. Which is pretty sad because Starlink is apparently much easier and faster to install than other providers. It's just not a priority for them as other, actually premium, airlines.
Given that SN broke the news on Instagram, and the fact that they don't have connectivity yet, would they be first to equip Starlink?
What is the "nonmember tax" (price for those who don't have a Miles & More Travel ID?)
It would be nothing as it's baked in that the service must be provided FOC in all cabins. If an airline doesn't agree to that then they don't get Starlink.
I imagine the M&M caveat is one not covered and being used by them as nothing more than the ability to create a fake surge of membership numbers
Lipstick on a pig.
Only the first 2 rows of business class will be allowed to use the free wifi due to weight restrictions.
…. the source of that information is, Eric?
Ok that got a good chuckle out of me.
Most of the big Star Alliance players are installing Starlink. Anyone airline not willing to get left behind in a major way.
Starlink users enjoy far superior speeds, stability, reliability and lower latency (delay) due to arrays of low earth orbit (closer) satellites that enable gaming, streaming, and video calls that are rough or impractical on other providers like ViaSat that also has huge holes in its coverage. Starlink is a game-changer.
Starlink installs in...
Most of the big Star Alliance players are installing Starlink. Anyone airline not willing to get left behind in a major way.
Starlink users enjoy far superior speeds, stability, reliability and lower latency (delay) due to arrays of low earth orbit (closer) satellites that enable gaming, streaming, and video calls that are rough or impractical on other providers like ViaSat that also has huge holes in its coverage. Starlink is a game-changer.
Starlink installs in four days v 10 and weighs 85 v 300 pounds with more streamlined antennae. More reliable with weather proof laser switching between more numerous and optimal satellites.
So far Air France, Air New Zealand, Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic among airlines going with Starlink.
first, as with all things involving technology, Starlink is a great product - but it came years after other high earth satellite systems that have been working for years.
We are supposed to believe that the PROMISE and HOPE of Starlink is supposed to make up for the lack of high speed internet those airlines had for years.
According to your thinking, Starlink is the nirvana and no other satellite internet provider will offer anything...
first, as with all things involving technology, Starlink is a great product - but it came years after other high earth satellite systems that have been working for years.
We are supposed to believe that the PROMISE and HOPE of Starlink is supposed to make up for the lack of high speed internet those airlines had for years.
According to your thinking, Starlink is the nirvana and no other satellite internet provider will offer anything else and no existing provider will improve the performance of their systems.
Not only are both things factually wrong but it is completely devoid of logic for everything else regarding technology.
All evidence to the contrary, but that has never stopped you before. Just a matter of time.
there are actually real facts - others have noted that other companies are working on competing LEO options and Viasat has specifically said it is working on faster internet.
and yes technology ALWAYS gets better w/ age.
Starlink is good now. You have no idea how long it will stay where it is competitively
but we know that facts are your enemies if they don't paint your dearly beloved ideas as the best.
Sorry, it's simple physics.
Let's start with: it's faster and more reliable than whatever Delta is using. Maybe the grandchildren of us will able make a more current evaluation when Delta finally installs Leo the pussy cat.
Tim, you will never understand that unless Viasat comes up with some physics defying technology, they will never overcome the latency issues they have. It's a dead technology at this point. Just like hardwired phone lines and fax machines.
No other satellite provider currently has the capabilities or capacity that Starlink currently offers, and they are a decade behind. Will someone else eventually get there? I'm sure they will. But nobody is even close, and...
Tim, you will never understand that unless Viasat comes up with some physics defying technology, they will never overcome the latency issues they have. It's a dead technology at this point. Just like hardwired phone lines and fax machines.
No other satellite provider currently has the capabilities or capacity that Starlink currently offers, and they are a decade behind. Will someone else eventually get there? I'm sure they will. But nobody is even close, and Viasat can't defy the laws of physics. So here we are.
I think what SpaceX is doing quite well here is getting a scaled install base for a product with large capital costs. Depending on whose numbers you use SpaceX already owns somewhere between 60% and 70% of all satellites. By getting these deals now across a large number of airlines now, its highly unlikely that these fleets will want to do a second rollout in the next decade to switch providers.
There will be...
I think what SpaceX is doing quite well here is getting a scaled install base for a product with large capital costs. Depending on whose numbers you use SpaceX already owns somewhere between 60% and 70% of all satellites. By getting these deals now across a large number of airlines now, its highly unlikely that these fleets will want to do a second rollout in the next decade to switch providers.
There will be other networks. People will use them. Delta will even probably have equivalent tech rolled out by the end of the decade. I am dubious that DeltaSync is actually a differentiator (and definitely not for me) for them but maybe I am wrong about that. Once you have LEO connectivity I don't think people will care much about curated entertainment.
In the article you say that for IAG starlink is only planned for BA and Iberia, but it's also planned for Aer Lingus
Credit where credit is due to, Lufthansa. Finally others are following DL, B6, etc. and actually providing similar services. Every airline should do this. It’s 2026. The technology is available. Free, reliable WiFi for all passengers on every flight should be a baseline for commercial aviation, regardless of whether legacy carrier, LCC, or ULCC, all included.
DL isn’t getting Starlink. They are doubling down on last-gen tech so LH isn’t making the mistake of following them.
"similar" in that they're actually offering Free WiFi
Unless someone comes with a reliable way to prevent people from making calls or playing loud music on planes, this is a negative development. I love being connected but I love travelling in peace more.
It can be done via software. It’s not hard. (They have to want to enforce that, though.)
Yeah it would be nice if people didn’t need to be told to listen via headphones instead of via speaker and/or text instead of calling/facetiming while flying.
The problem is Apple reckon everyone has Bluetooth speakers, so the cheap corded version airlines used to hand out is useless.
If someone forgets their Bluetooth earbuds, they’ll use the phone on speaker.
@1990 - Yes and no. You can block some ports and introduce some firewalls but there are many easy workarounds for those motivated enough to do it, not to mention many apps that you don't want to block, you just don't want people to not use them loud (e.g. social media).
Amazon is purportedly working on an alternative satellite network. All things being equal, I'd rather pay Jeff Bezos than Elon Musk.
Ok, but, like, do we American taxpayers need to subsidize each of them and their companies, still, if they are already so profitable and wealthy? Same goes for oil and gas, big pharma, etc. OR, if we’re gonna keep subsidizing them, can we just please have some universal healthcare, at a minimum?
What do you mean "purportedly"? Just look up Amazon Leo. They already have Delta and JetBlue signed.
This is one upgrade I really don't care about. I'm very happy to be without a connection in the skies.
I don't like connecting to WiFi on planes anyway, since flying provides one of the last refuges from permanent connectivity. That said, I *definitely* wouldn't connect to the provider run by the guy who spent the first few months of 2025 stealing massive amounts of government and personal data. I'll check my email when I land and can connect through a provider with some actual internal standards, thanks.
And this will be implemented together with the Allegris refit, so all planes should be completed by 2049.
Still better than Finnair’s awful business class seats that don’t partially recline… and if AY fails, you get stuck in HEL… (at least you’ve got moomin…)
finnairs seat is one of the greatest in the industry. ANA is copying it. I would prefer that seat before allegris
@1990
Just to let you know that several years ago, wife and I snuck into closed for the winter Moomin land while we had our Xmas spa at Naantali. Go there. You love Moominland