British Airways’ first Starlink flight takes off

Image courtesy British Airways 

The 787-8 aircraft bound for Houston, USA, was the first in the airline’s fleet to be connected, giving customers free access to fast, reliable internet for streaming, working and staying connected.

Powered by more than 10,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit, Starlink delivers a more reliable and faster internet experience. Customers will be able to seamlessly work, browse, shop and connect from the air on multiple devices on the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky, with download speeds of up to 500+ Mbps. 



The airline is currently in the process of fitting Starlink onto its 787-8 fleet (above) and has already started equipping its next 787-8 aircraft. Within the next two years the entire British Airways fleet of more than 300 aircraft will have this powerful new technology, available for all customers, in every cabin, free of charge.  

Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and Chief Executive described the launch as “a landmark moment”: “We’re excited to be the first UK airline to bring this level of connectivity to our customers. We know that staying connected matters to people, whether they’re travelling for work or heading off on holiday and Starlink will give our customers fast, reliable Wi-Fi that transforms the onboard experience. This milestone is part of a wider investment in elevating every aspect of our customer journey as we continue to modernise our airline.” 

As well as improving the experience for customers on board, who can enjoy home-like connectivity even at 38,000 feet—the same high-speed service will enable the airline’s Cabin Crew and Flight Crew to communicate seamlessly in real time with colleagues on the ground.  

The launch of Starlink is a key part of the airline’s transformation plan, driving improvements at every stage of the customer journey. British Airways is investing £7 billion across all areas the business, from new lounge concepts in Dubai and Miami, to utilising AI and new technologies to increase punctuality.