Starlink has been a game changer for airlines looking to provide passengers with fast, streaming quality, Wi-Fi onboard planes. We’ve seen carriers like United, Emirates, Korean Air, and others announce the installation of the service and now another major airline group is joining the party.
Lufthansa Group to Add Starlink Wi-FI on All of Its 850+ Aircraft
Lufthansa Group, parent company of Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, ITA Airways, and others, announced that it will equip all of the groups aircraft with Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi. The airline has roughly 850 aircraft spread across its brands, making this a very sizable rollout.
The service is expected to begin rolling out in the second half of 2026. The rollout is expected to be completed at some point in 2029. Starlink Wi-Fi will be free for all members of the Miles & More program.
Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group, said this about the introduction of Starlink:
“In our anniversary year, in which we are celebrating Lufthansa’s 100th birthday, we have decided to introduce a new high-speed internet solution from Starlink for all our airlines. The Lufthansa Group is taking the next step and setting an essential milestone for the premium travel experience of our customers. Connectivity on board plays an important role today, and with Starlink, we are not only investing in the best product on the market, but also in the satisfaction of our passengers.”
Once the rollout is complete, Lufthansa Group is expected to be the largest airline group in Europe equipped with the service. Additional rollout details are expected to be announced later this year.
My Thoughts
There will come a time when the addition of fast, free, onboard Wi-Fi won’t make the news. However, that still isn’t the case. While other airline groups like IAG and Air France KLM have announced plans to roll out Starlink on some of its brands, Lufthansa Group is the first to provide connectivity across all of the brands in its portfolio.
This level of consistency will be great for passengers and represent a major upgrade for some of the Group’s airlines that have been lagging in the Wi-Fi department (for example, Brussels Airlines doesn’t currently offer Wi-Fi on any of its aircraft).
Summary
Lufthansa Group is rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi fleetwide beginning in 2026. The rollout is expected to take until at least 2029, so passengers will need to be patient, though it will be a major improvement for the in-flight experience once complete.
(Images courtesy Lufthansa Group)