Wizz Air to equip entire fleet with Starlink in‑flight internet by 2027

Low-cost carrier Wizz Air plans a major technology upgrade that could change what passengers expect from budget flights in Europe. The airline has announced that it will equip its entire fleet with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet, aiming to offer fast, stable connectivity throughout the flight from 2027.

While Wizz Air has confirmed the rollout timeline and the use of Starlink across all its aircraft, it has not yet revealed whether in‑flight internet access will be free, paid, or tied to loyalty programmes. Even so, the move places the carrier among a growing group of airlines betting on low‑orbit satellite networks to bring broadband into the sky.

What is Starlink and how does it work on planes?

Starlink is a satellite internet system developed by SpaceX, the aerospace company owned by Elon Musk. Unlike traditional communications satellites placed much higher above Earth, Starlink units orbit at roughly 550 kilometres, a so‑called low Earth orbit.

This relatively small distance significantly reduces latency – the delay between sending and receiving data – making connections feel more responsive. As a result, Starlink can provide high‑throughput broadband in locations where ground infrastructure is limited or non‑existent, such as remote regions, oceans and aircraft cruising at 10,000 metres.

On passenger planes, antennas installed on the fuselage connect to the Starlink satellite network, routing internet traffic to onboard Wi‑Fi systems. In practice, this allows travellers to browse the web, use messaging apps and potentially stream content, depending on how airlines configure and price the service.

Wizz Air’s Starlink rollout from 2027

Wizz Air plans to introduce Starlink across its entire fleet starting in 2027, positioning in‑flight connectivity as a standard part of the travel experience rather than a niche premium extra. The carrier currently operates a modern fleet of 267 Airbus A320 and A321 family aircraft, and all of them are set to be equipped with Starlink hardware.

According to the airline, passengers should have access to high‑speed internet from take‑off to landing, not just at cruising altitude. However, the company has not yet disclosed crucial details such as pricing models, data limits or whether certain services might be reserved for frequent flyers.

In a statement, Wizz Air’s chief commercial officer Ian Malin underlined that customers will no longer have to choose between low fares and reliable in‑flight connectivity to stay in touch with people, work and important moments while travelling. Jason Fritch, vice president of Starlink Enterprise Sales at SpaceX, added that providing connectivity at 10,000 metres is exactly the kind of use case the technology was designed to serve.

The move fits into Wizz Air’s broader strategy of rapid expansion and fleet modernisation. Alongside another major European low‑cost carrier, Ryanair, Wizz Air ranks among the most frequently used airlines for travellers from Poland and across Central and Eastern Europe.

Which airlines already use Starlink in the air?

Wizz Air is not the first airline to turn to Starlink for in‑flight connectivity, but it is one of the largest low‑cost carriers in Europe to commit to a full‑fleet rollout.

The regional pioneer on the continent was Latvian airline airBaltic, which began integrating Starlink on its Airbus A220 fleet. Since then, several major airline groups and carriers have announced or started deployments, including:

• Air France and KLM – offering Starlink connectivity, with free access for members of the Flying Blue loyalty programme on selected services.
• Lufthansa Group airlines – including Lufthansa itself, as well as Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Swiss, Edelweiss Air, Eurowings, Air Dolomiti and ITA Airways, which are rolling out or planning Starlink‑based solutions.
• IAG group – with carriers such as British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Level preparing or testing satellite internet options, including Starlink, on parts of their fleets.

Outside Europe, Starlink is being adopted by a growing list of airlines. In the United States, carriers such as Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines are introducing or trialling the technology on selected aircraft and routes.

In the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, major players including Qatar Airways, Emirates and Singapore Airlines are also working with Starlink to enhance their in‑flight connectivity offerings.

Competition in the in‑flight internet market

Starlink is not the only provider of satellite‑based internet for airlines. Some carriers are opting for alternative systems based on more traditional satellite constellations. Polish flag carrier LOT, for example, has chosen Viasat as its Wi‑Fi provider and launched internet service on its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in March.

For passengers, this growing competition among providers and airlines may translate into faster connections, broader coverage and, over time, more favourable pricing. Many carriers are experimenting with different business models, such as offering basic messaging for free while charging for higher speeds or streaming, or including premium access as a benefit for loyalty programme members.

What Wizz Air passengers can expect

Although specifics are still to come, the introduction of Starlink across Wizz Air’s fleet suggests several likely changes for travellers:

• Persistent connectivity – the offline period between airport Wi‑Fi and arrival at the destination could gradually disappear, with internet access available throughout the flight.
• Improved work and communication options – business travellers and remote workers will find it easier to handle email, cloud documents and communication tools in the air.
• New service and pricing models – Wizz Air may introduce tiered access, loyalty perks or bundled offers that integrate internet access with other travel services.

The full details of coverage, speeds and costs will become clear as the 2027 rollout approaches. For now, the announcement signals that in‑flight internet is rapidly moving from a rare extra to a mainstream expectation, even on low‑cost airlines.