For years, getting on a plane meant disappearing from the world’s radar, unable (for security reasons) to make calls, send both emails and messages and forced into forty minutes or ten hours of forced silence, depending on the route. Wizz Air has decided that that silence will end, as the Hungarian company has announced that from 2027 it will install Starlink connectivity across its entire fleet, thus becoming the first European ultra-low-cost airline to bring high-speed satellite Internet on board. The title that the company itself chose for the press release leaves no room for mincing words: “Wizz Air declares the beginning of the end for airplane mode“, the beginning of the end for airplane mode.
What changes for those who fly low-cost
The interesting point is not so much the technology itself, but who offers it. Until now, quality connection on board was a premium ticket item, you paid dearly for it, or nothing at all. Emirates, Air France, Qatar Airways, United and other companies have introduced it by focusing on customers willing to spend, and Wizz Air is taking the first step into the European ultra-low-cost segment and overturns the pattern. According to what was communicated by the company, the installations will start in 2027 and every new generation aircraft in the fleet will be equipped with Starlink. The declared objective is to guarantee the same on-board experience regardless of the route or destination: high-speed connection and low latency even at 9,000 meters above sea level, i.e. with a delay in data transmission low enough to allow video calls, streaming and gaming.
Official statements
Ian Malin, Chief Commercial Officer of Wizz Air, explains the logic of the operation:
Ultra-low-cost air travel has always been about making opportunities accessible to more and more people. In 2027 we will bring this philosophy into the space age. Our customers shouldn’t have to choose between affordable rates and a reliable onboard connection to stay connected to the people, work and moments that matter most. We are proud to lead this change by partnering with Starlink to bring maximum benefit to Wizz Air! Let’s WIZZ!
On the SpaceX side, the agreement was commented by Jason Fritch, Vice President of Starlink Enterprise Sales:
We are thrilled to bring Starlink on board Wizz Air and transform the travel experience for millions of its customers. Keeping passengers and crew seamlessly connected at 30,000 feet (9,000 meters) altitude is exactly what this technology was created to do. We look forward to offering reliable, high-speed internet from departure to arrival
One detail that the company did not disclose concerns the economic terms of the agreement, which were not disclosed. And it remains to be understood what “every new generation aircraft” really means. Wizz Air operates a fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft, partly made up of older models which, at least for now, appear to be excluded from the plan.
What is Starlink and how will it work
Starlink is the satellite Internet connection system developed by SpaceX, Elon Musk’s aerospace company. It leverages a constellation of thousands of low-orbit satellites, a configuration that reduces latency compared to traditional satellites farther from Earth. To take it into flight, the company simply needs to install special antennas on the planes, which communicate directly with the satellites. As already mentioned at the beginning, adoption in the airline sector is proceeding at a rapid pace, given that in addition to Emirates, Air France, United and Qatar Airways, US companies such as Southwest, Alaska and American Airlines have already chosen Starlink. For the passenger, once on board, the procedure will be the same as usual: simply connect to the on-board Wi-Fi.
The real question to ask after such an announcement concerns the wallet: will a company that has built its identity on the lowest possible price offer the connection for free, or will it be yet another extra to add to the cart before take-off?
