Business · Companies · 27 mins ago
EasyJet plans to install Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet by 2028
British budget airline EasyJet plans to add Starlink Wi-Fi to its planes from 2027.
The service, run by Elon Musk's company, is expected to reach EasyJet's 300-aircraft fleet by early 2028.
EasyJet carries about 100 million passengers a year, and the deal means two of Europe's three biggest budget airlines have chosen Starlink; Hungary's Wizz Air signed up in June.
Ryanair, Europe's largest airline, is the only one of those three without Starlink.
Its CEO, Michael O'Leary, has questioned whether passengers will pay for Wi-Fi and warned that rooftop equipment could increase fuel costs, while Musk argued that Ryanair could lose customers.
EasyJet and Wizz Air may use onboard internet to gain an edge over Ryanair, although O'Leary has said he expects airlines to offer free Wi-Fi as technology improves.
EasyJet plans to install Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi across its 300-aircraft fleet by early 2028.
The service is expected to begin on its airplanes in the first half of 2027.
The deal makes EasyJet the second of Europe’s three biggest budget airlines to commit to Starlink, after Wizz Air.
Ryanair remains the only one of those three without the service, and its chief executive has questioned demand and raised concerns about fuel costs.
- Who
- EasyJet and Starlink. EasyJet is a British airline.
- What
- EasyJet plans to offer Starlink Wi-Fi on its aircraft, with installation across its fleet by early 2028.
- When
- The announcement was made on October 26, 2026. Service is expected to begin in the first half of 2027.
- Where
- On EasyJet airplanes. The sources do not specify routes or locations.
- Why
- EasyJet and Wizz Air may see Starlink as a way to gain an edge over Ryanair.
EasyJet and Starlink
Ryanair
Wi-Fi plans
EasyJet and Starlink
EasyJet plans to install Starlink across its fleet.
Ryanair
Ryanair has not committed to the service.
Passenger demand
EasyJet and Starlink
EasyJet is proceeding with the deal.
Ryanair
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said passengers would not pay for Wi-Fi on an average one-hour flight.
Costs
EasyJet and Starlink
EasyJet plans to add the service.
Ryanair
O’Leary cited increased fuel costs from the aerodynamic drag of a Starlink terminal.
O’Leary said he did not think passengers would pay for Wi-Fi on an average one-hour flight.
Wizz Air signed up for Starlink.
EasyJet announced that it would deploy Starlink Wi-Fi on its airplanes from the first half of the following year.
EasyJet plans to begin deploying the service on its airplanes.
EasyJet hopes to have Starlink installed across its 300-aircraft fleet.
- Fleet
- 300 aircraft
- Planned fleet-wide installation
- Early 2028
- Expected service start
- First half of 2027
- EasyJet passengers carried annually
- 100 million
- Wizz Air passengers carried annually
- About 70 million
3 sources
What people are saying
We don't think our passengers are willing to pay for WiFi for an average one-hour flight
I think as the WiFi technology improves over the next four or five years, we'll all be offering free WiFi access.