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IAG Picks Starlink to Bring High‑Speed Inflight Wi‑Fi to 500+ Aircraft From 2026

Complimentary gate‑to‑gate access is planned by BA plus Iberia, with details for low‑cost units still unresolved.

Overview

  • IAG confirmed a strategic agreement with Starlink to equip more than 500 aircraft across British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, LEVEL and Vueling, with service starting in early 2026.
  • British Airways says all customers on mainline and Euroflyer flights will get free, gate‑to‑gate access once aircraft are fitted, and Iberia plans free access across long‑ and short‑haul flights.
  • IAG and Starlink cite home‑like performance, with claimed download speeds of about 150–450 Mbps and uploads of 20–70 Mbps for streaming, video calls and productivity.
  • Installations will be phased during maintenance windows, will depend on aircraft‑type certification, and will exclude jets slated for near‑term retirement.
  • Policies for budget brands remain to be finalized, with reporting diverging on whether Vueling and Iberia Express will charge, as the group frames the move within a broader digital transformation push.