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IAG Picks Starlink for 500+ Aircraft, With BA and Iberia Promising Free Wi‑Fi From 2026

Installations begin in early 2026, signaling a shift to low‑latency LEO connectivity that displaces several current providers.

Overview

  • International Airlines Group signed a groupwide agreement to install Starlink on more than 500 active aircraft across British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, LEVEL and Vueling, excluding jets near retirement.
  • British Airways says all customers on fitted mainline and Euroflyer flights will get complimentary gate‑to‑gate access with no special login, and Iberia states the service will be free for all cabins starting in 2026.
  • IAG has not disclosed which fleets will be fitted first, and certification and retrofit scheduling mean the rollout will be phased over years rather than months.
  • Reported performance targets are roughly 150–450 Mbps down and 20–70 Mbps up, enabling multi‑device streaming, gaming and cloud work with low latency from boarding to landing.
  • Financial terms were not released, industry coverage expects incumbent IFC suppliers to be replaced, and reports differ on whether budget brands such as Vueling or Iberia Express will charge for access.