Hawaiian Airlines is introducing complimentary Wi-Fi on its commercial flights this week, courtesy of SpaceX’s Starlink, marking the first major U.S. airline to provide this satellite-based service. According to Peter Ingram, CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, SpaceX has successfully developed the technology to deliver high-quality, wide-bandwidth connectivity globally to airplanes.
This move aligns with the trend of airlines enhancing high-speed connectivity options. JetBlue Airways already offers free in-flight Wi-Fi, and Delta Air Lines introduced free onboard internet for its loyalty program members last year after extensive planning.
Hawaiian Airlines, with an extensive Pacific Ocean flight network, serving destinations like the mainland U.S., Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, signed an agreement with SpaceX in April 2022 to utilize the Starlink network. The partnership aims to install Starlink terminals on 18 A321 jets and 24 A330 aircraft later this year.
Chad Gibbs, SpaceX’s Vice President of Starlink business operations, emphasized the transformative potential of the Starlink service, providing substantial capacity and bandwidth for in-flight connectivity. While the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, Ingram mentioned that the costs have decreased compared to earlier Wi-Fi systems.
Ingram highlighted that Hawaiian Airlines is actively installing Starlink terminals, with six already completed on its Airbus A321 planes. The original plan to install Starlink terminals in 2023 was delayed as SpaceX needed to launch more next-generation satellites and obtain Federal Aviation Administration certification.
SpaceX has been working on obtaining licenses for various aircraft, with over 30,000 flights having utilized Starlink to date. Beyond Hawaiian Airlines, SpaceX has secured Starlink inflight Wi-Fi deals with airBaltic in Latvia, Zipair in Japan, and Qatar Airways. This development coincides with Hawaiian Airlines’ acquisition by Alaska Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal late last year.