AirBaltic Becomes First European Airline to Offer SpaceX’s Starlink Internet on Airbus A220-300 Fleet
AirBaltic has implemented SpaceX’s Starlink satellite connectivity system across its Airbus A220-300 fleet, making it the first European airline to offer this service. According to the company, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the system’s installation, allowing passengers to enjoy high-speed internet free of charge on all routes.
The first commercial flight with Starlink on board is scheduled for February 21 on the Riga-Munich route. To celebrate this milestone, airBaltic hosted a special demonstration flight at Riga Airport, where industry representatives, media, and other guests experienced the service firsthand.
"A Revolution in In-Flight Connectivity"
AirBaltic President and CEO Martin Gauss emphasized that this rollout marks a major shift in the onboard experience. "We are proud to be the first airline in Europe to integrate SpaceX’s Starlink. This is not just an improvement—it’s a revolution in in-flight connectivity," he said. Gauss even recorded a video mid-flight to showcase the system’s streaming quality.
Meanwhile, Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink’s Commercial Operations at SpaceX, highlighted the system’s benefits for both passengers and crew. "We plan to equip airBaltic’s entire fleet with Starlink this year, ensuring reliable, high-speed internet access on thousands of flights worldwide," he stated.
Full Fleet Coverage by 2025
AirBaltic has begun installing the system across its fleet and expects full integration in all Airbus A220-300 aircraft by the end of 2025. The service will enable passengers to browse the internet, make video calls, use VPNs, and even play online games without restrictions or additional setup.
According to SpaceX, Starlink operates with low Earth orbit satellites positioned 65 times closer than traditional geostationary satellites, allowing speeds of up to 500 Mbps with low latency.
Currently, Starlink is available in over 120 countries and territories, with millions of users worldwide. Its adoption in commercial aviation began in 2023 and has since expanded rapidly across various airlines.
AirBaltic’s Expansion Plans
AirBaltic operates a network of over 130 routes from Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius, Tampere, and Gran Canaria, connecting the Baltic region to more than 70 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus. The airline's fleet consists of 50 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, and it is majority-owned by the Latvian government.
Last month, it was announced that Lufthansa Group will acquire a 10% stake in the Latvian carrier.
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In recent years, airBaltic has received multiple industry awards, including the Skytrax award for "Best Regional Airline" for three consecutive years and the APEX Passenger Choice Award for "Best Cabin Service in Europe" in 2023.
AUTOR
Contando la aviación desde marzo del año 2000. Fundador y Managing Editor de Aviacionline.
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