EI-EIN, first Aer Lingus aircraft to offer Starlink ultrafast free Wi-Fi returns from New York

Aer Lingus equipped the first aircraft with Starlink.
Passengers on flight EI105 from Dublin to New York JFK used the service today.
The Airbus A330 EI-EIN underwent antenna fitting and testing.
Starlink provides download speeds of up to 500+ Mbps.
The rollout covers long-haul aircraft by Q1 2027.

Aer Lingus has introduced Starlink Wi-Fi on its first aircraft and passengers on flight EI105 from Dublin to New York JFK today experience the service for the first time.

The Airbus A330 registered EI-EIN received the installation after testing and it now operates with free ultrafast connectivity available across all cabins. Customers access the internet for streaming, working or gaming on multiple devices during the flight.

The airline fitted antennas on the long-haul aircraft and conducted extensive checks prior to the inaugural passenger service. Starlink operates through a constellation of more than 10,000 satellites at around 550 km altitude and this delivers low-latency connections with download speeds of up to 500+ Mbps. Aer Lingus plans a phased rollout that starts with aircraft serving North America and continues to European routes.

The full long-haul fleet receives Starlink by the first quarter of 2027 while short-haul aircraft excluding regional operations also gain the upgrade in due course. The project follows prior investments in the mobile app and bag drop facilities.

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Lynne Embleton shared “Introducing Starlink on our first aircraft is a big moment for us in Aer Lingus.” Lynne Embleton shared “This level of connectivity is a real gamechanger.” Lynne Embleton shared “As we mark our 90th year Starlink is just one of a number of customer improvements we are bringing to Aer Lingus.”

Starlink users

The International Airlines Group (IAG) first announced plans in November 2025 to roll out Starlink across more than 500 aircraft in its fleet, making it one of the largest such commitments in Europe.

Starlink’s advantage lies in its low-Earth-orbit satellites, which provide better performance than older geostationary systems.

Aer Lingus (part of IAG): Rollout began in March 2026 with the long haul A330 fleet and is expedt to be complete on trans-Atlantic aircraft by year end.
British Airways (part of IAG): Rollout began in March 2026 on selected aircraft (e.g., Boeing 787s), with plans for fleet-wide free access.
Iberia (part of IAG): Part of the group-wide rollout starting in early 2026.
Vueling (part of IAG): Part of the group-wide rollout starting in early 2026.
LEVEL (part of IAG): Part of the group-wide rollout starting in early 2026.
Virgin Atlantic: Installation planned to begin in the third quarter of 2026, with fleet-wide rollout targeted for completion by 2027; free for Flying Club members.
Lufthansa Group (including Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, ITA Airways, and SWISS): Plans to equip all aircraft starting from the second half of 2026, with full rollout by 2029.
Emirates: Confirmed plans for Starlink rollout.
Qatar Airways: Already rolling out across its Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 fleets; available on many routes with free access on equipped aircraft.
Air France: Began installations, with rollout progressing across the fleet.
United Airlines: Actively installing across the fleet (narrowbody and widebody), with significant progress expected by the end of 2026 and full coverage targeted for 2027.
Hawaiian Airlines: Already available on Airbus A330 and A321neo aircraft (free); expanding to Boeing 787s.
Alaska Airlines: Plans to equip the entire fleet starting in 2026, with completion targeted for 2027; free for eligible members.
Southwest Airlines: Plans to introduce Starlink starting in summer 2026, with over 300 aircraft equipped by the end of 2026.
airBaltic: One of the first in Europe; already operational on parts of the fleet since 2025.
WestJet: Announced and in rollout.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines: Plans confirmed for implementation.
Air New Zealand: Plans confirmed for implementation.

Others with announcements or early adoption include JSX, Gulf Air, and various smaller or regional carriers (e.g., some under Lufthansa Group or Asian operators like Jin Air in select cases).

Ryanair has explicitly ruled out Starlink due to high estimated annual costs (around $250m, including fuel penalties from antenna drag that increases fuel burn by 2pc) and skepticism that passengers would be willing to pay on short-haul flights. CEO Michael O’Leary has publicly stated it is not viable for their model, though the airline acknowledges WiFi may become standard industry-wide in the future with cheaper technology.

Non-Starlink Providers

Many major carriers offer WiFi but rely on traditional satellite systems (e.g., Viasat, Intelsat) or hybrid solutions rather than Starlink:

Delta Air Lines: Extensive WiFi via Viasat and other providers.
American Airlines: WiFi available on most aircraft (primarily Viasat).
JetBlue: Has opted for Amazon’s Project Kuiper (LEO alternative) in some announcements, alongside existing systems.
Others like Etihad, Saudia, flydubai, Korean Air, and Asiana have WiFi, with some exploring or confirming Starlink while others use different providers.

Onboard WiFi availability varies by aircraft type, route, and cabin. Many airlines now offer it free (especially with Starlink) to all passengers or loyalty members, while others charge fees or limit speeds. For the most current details on a specific flight, check the airline’s website or app, as rollouts continue rapidly. Starlink adoption has accelerated in 2025–2026, with dozens of carriers committing due to its superior speed and reliability.