Summary:
- Virgin Atlantic accelerates rollout of Starlink to provide free, high-speed WiFi across its entire fleet, starting with Airbus A350s in May.
- Starlink offers fast, low-latency connectivity worldwide, enabling passengers to stream, browse, work, and stay connected across multiple devices.
- Full fleet coverage is expected by 2027, delivering a digitally connected, ‘home away from home’ experience for Flying Club members.
Virgin Atlantic has announced an accelerated rollout of Starlink, as the airline gears up to introduce free, high-speed WiFi across its entire fleet. Virgin Atlantic will begin introducing Starlink connectivity onboard its Airbus A350 fleet from May, with all A350s to be connected by early summer. The first customer flight is slated for early May on the VS153 from London Heathrow to New York, JFK. The programme will then extend across the Boeing 787 and Airbus A330neo fleets as installation progresses, with connectivity expected to reach full fleet coverage anticipated in 2027.
By leveraging the world’s most advanced satellite constellation in low Earth orbit, Starlink offers high-speed, low-latency internet access around the world, including the most isolated areas. This makes for a reliable, fast, and secure user experience. Starlink will be offered entirely free of charge for Flying Club members, creating a digitally connected cabin, across its modern fleet.
The new service aims to create a ‘home away from home’ WiFi experience in the sky, allowing customers to connect seamlessly, from the moment they board the aircraft, enjoying the same quality in the air as they do on the ground. During the flight, Starlink will enable customers to enjoy elevated entertainment, including downloading and streaming their favourite TV shows, gaming with friends on the ground, browsing internet shopping, catching up on work, watching live sports games, connecting with friends and family and even making brief audio calls, while keeping the cabin comfortable and relaxed for everyone. Customers will be able to utilise multiple devices simultaneously including smartphones, laptops and tablets, keeping messages moving, plans in play and everything, and everyone, that matters close.
“We were the first UK airline to announce free, fleet-wide Starlink WiFi, and from May, we’re starting to deliver it for our customers,” said Juha Jaervinen, Chief Customer Officer, Virgin Atlantic. “As the rollout gathers pace, we plan to deliver 100% Starlink connectivity across our fleet in 2027, as part of our focus on creating a brilliantly connected experience. Together with Starlink, we’re setting a new standard for connectivity in the skies, with fast, free, high-speed WiFi available from the moment customers step onboard. It’s all part of creating a truly connected, ‘home away from home’ experience, giving customers the freedom to use their time onboard exactly as they choose, whether that’s staying close to work, to plans, or to the people who matter most.”
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