technology
British Airways Partners with Starlink for In-Flight WiFi Enabling Voice and Video Calls Amid Usage Concerns
British Airways has installed Starlink WiFi on a Houston-bound flight, marking the first for a British carrier, with plans to expand to its full fleet over two years. The free service supports high-speed internet for streaming, work, and calls, but the airline advises passengers to keep voices low and use headphones.
Apr 8, 8:27 AM·2m read1 source
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British Airways operated its first flight with Starlink WiFi on a Houston-bound Boeing 787-8 in March. The service provides download speeds of up to 500 Mbps and supports activities including streaming, browsing, gaming, and video calls. The airline offers the WiFi free to all passengers regardless of cabin class.
British Airways Chairman and Chief Executive Sean Doyle described the installation as part of investments to modernize the airline and improve the customer journey. The carrier plans to equip its fleet of more than 300 aircraft with the service over the next two years. Starlink technology, developed by SpaceX, powers the connectivity.
Guidelines on In-Flight Calls British Airways has issued guidelines for passengers using the service, advising them to be considerate, especially during calls.
The airline recommends keeping voices low and using headphones for calls or audio content. Similar advice comes from other carriers adopting Starlink, such as Air France, which encourages discrete device usage to maintain a quiet environment. Sophie Dickinson, deputy travel editor at The Independent, stated that airplane cabins have traditionally served as a refuge from intrusive conversations.
Travel expert Simon Calder referenced Dickinson's view in a piece for the same publication, noting concerns over the potential disruption from in-flight calls. Calder suggested that such calls might lead to the creation of quiet zones on aircraft, similar to those on some trains.
Airways follows carriers including Air France and Qatar Airways in partnering with Starlink for in-flight connectivity.
Latvian airline airBaltic plans to introduce the service in Europe starting February 2025, with Air France and SAS following later that year. Air France aims to connect 30% of its fleet initially and all aircraft by the end of 2026. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission prohibits mobile devices from operating on certain radio frequencies during domestic flights, effectively banning traditional in-flight calls.
