British Airways is set to revolutionise the passenger experience by introducing complimentary, high-speed internet access on its flights through a partnership with Elon Musk's Starlink satellite service.
A Connectivity Game-Changer
The airline confirmed that this free, "reliable and lightning-fast" WiFi will be available to every traveller, regardless of whether they are flying in economy, business, or first class. The service is scheduled to begin rolling out from next month.
This initiative is part of a broader £7 billion transformation for the carrier. Passengers will benefit from seamless, lag-free internet connectivity from the moment they board until the aircraft lands.
Strategic Group-Wide Rollout
The deal was secured by BA's parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG). The agreement will see Starlink technology installed on more than 500 aircraft across the group's airlines, which also include Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Vueling.
Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chief Executive, hailed the move as "gamechanging". He stated that offering seamless connectivity from gate to gate, particularly on short-haul routes, would be a key factor in differentiating the airline from its competitors.
Strong Financial Performance Amidst Investment
The announcement comes as IAG reported its latest financial figures. The group saw a 2.4% increase in capacity alongside a 2.4% decline in passenger revenue.
Despite this, IAG Chief Executive Luis Gallego praised the company's strong performance in the third quarter. He confirmed the group is on track to deliver another year of growth in revenues, profit, and shareholder returns, with an 18% growth in operating profit and a 27% increase in adjusted earnings per share so far this year.
Gallego emphasised the company's focus on long-term value creation and disciplined investment in customer experience and operational efficiencies.
