Canadian airline WestJet has just made an exciting announcement when it comes to inflight connectivity…
In this post:
WestJet will offer free high speed Wi-Fi
WestJet intends to introduce Starlink Wi-Fi throughout most of its fleet in the coming years. Not only will Starlink offer speeds of up to 500 megabits per second for gaming, VPN access, sports streaming, and more, but WestJet intends to make this available on a complimentary basis for all WestJet Rewards members.
This new inflight connectivity is being offered in partnership with Canadian telecom company TELUS, as the two companies are introducing “a fully integrated partnership.”
WestJet is one of several airlines that’s working with Starlink on inflight connectivity. It’s also available on carriers like Hawaiian Airlines, and will soon be available on airBaltic, Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, and more. WestJet is the largest North American airline to commit to Starlink Wi-Fi, and also plans to be the first airline to offer Starlink Wi-Fi on the Boeing 737.
Here’s how WestJet Group Chief Commercial Officer John Weatherill describes this development:
“Through our strategic partnership with TELUS, we are setting a new standard in the Canadian airline industry by offering Starlink’s revolutionary inflight connectivity, and thanks to TELUS we are able to bring this inflight experience to WestJet Rewards guests for free.”
For what it’s worth, WestJet currently offers inflight connectivity on select aircraft, in partnership with Panasonic. This is a paid service, and speeds aren’t great.
Which WestJet planes are getting Starlink Wi-Fi?
So, when should we expect Starlink Wi-Fi to be available on WestJet, and which planes are getting it? WestJet will start by introducing Starlink Wi-Fi on its Boeing 737s. The first aircraft should get the new inflight connectivity in December 2024, and the installation throughout the 737 fleet should be complete by the end of 2025.
Note that WestJet likely won’t install Wi-Fi on the Boeing 737s that it intends to retire in the coming years, so don’t expect that all 737s (especially some 737-700s and 737-800s) will have Wi-Fi by the end of 2025.
Once that’s complete, WestJet intends to introduce Starlink Wi-FI on its Boeing 787s, and that’s a process that should be completed by the end of 2026. So we’ll have to be a bit patient, as it’ll be well over two years before this project is complete.
Bottom line
WestJet plans to introduce SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi. Not only should this mean we’ll see some very high speed Wi-Fi, but WestJet also intends to offer this on a complimentary basis for WestJet Rewards members. WestJet will be the first Canadian airline to introduce Starlink, so I’m excited to see this roll out.
What do you make of WestJet introducing free Starlink Wi-Fi?
Just flew WestJet for the first time last week, and it was a pleasant experience (fortunately no residual effects of the strike). Catering out of SAN was excellent for our lunch hour flight to YYC. My only suggestion would be that it would be nice if F cabin pax who are not loyalty members received this benefit as well (we booked through Delta).
Schizophrenia is a terrible disease. It is not kind to those affected to use it as a negative descriptor.
That being said, Westjet has receently introduced an unbundled basic economy fare. Other fares include carryons. Buyer beware.
Great cookies, pretzels and soft drinks, coffee or tea for all. Nice well trained crew.
Oh, and their seats are very firm.
WestJet is such a schizophrenic airline. They recently started charging for carry-on bags, but now they're planning to offer free WiFi.
Starlink stipulates in its contract that airlines purchasing its IFC solution MUST offer the service free of charge.
Everyone doesn’t get charged for a carry on it’s only if you purchase the basic fare. So if you want a carry on don’t purchase the basic fare.