airBaltic, First European Airline to Offer Starlink High Speed Internet
The Latvian airline airBaltic has set a milestone in European aviation by becoming the first airline on the continent to implement SpaceX’s high speed Starlink internet service on its fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft. With certification granted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the company is redefining in-flight connectivity, offering an unprecedented travel experience for its passengers.
A Historic Launch in Riga
To celebrate this innovation, airBaltic organized a special flight at Riga International Airport, attended by international and local media, influencers, and other stakeholders. During this event, attendees were able to experience firsthand the speed and stability of the Starlink service.
The first commercial service with free access to Starlink is scheduled for this Friday on flight BT221, connecting Riga with Munich, Germany.
Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic, emphasized the significance of this implementation: “This is a historic milestone for airBaltic and a radical change in European aviation. By being the first airline to integrate SpaceX’s Starlink, we are redefining in-flight connectivity. This is not just an improvement, but a revolution in the travel experience.”
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Chad Gibbs, Vice President of Starlink Commercial Operations at SpaceX, commented: “airBaltic customers and crew will now be able to access high speed, low-latency internet from the moment they board the aircraft. This year, we plan to connect airBaltic’s entire fleet with Starlink, providing reliable service on tens of thousands of flights worldwide.”
Seamless Connectivity at No Additional Cost
The installation of Starlink on airBaltic’s Airbus A220-300 fleet has already begun, and full integration is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. With this technology, passengers will be able to enjoy high speed, low-latency internet completely free of charge, without the need for logins or additional configurations.
The service will enable activities that were previously impossible during flights, such as video streaming, remote work, the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), and even online gaming, providing a digital experience similar to that on the ground.
Starlink: Transforming Aviation Connectivity
Starlink has revolutionized internet access worldwide, with a presence in over 120 countries and markets across all seven continents. The company has evolved from serving individual customers to providing connectivity to businesses and organizations across various sectors.
The technology behind Starlink is based on a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, positioned more than 65 times closer than traditional geostationary satellites. This enables connection speeds of up to 500 Mbps with extremely low latency, offering an uninterrupted experience.
The Future of Air Connectivity
With the integration of Starlink, airBaltic is positioning itself at the forefront of aviation innovation, offering its passengers unparalleled connectivity. This advancement not only enhances the onboard experience but also sets a new standard in the European and global aviation industry.
As the implementation continues and other airlines adopt similar solutions, the future of commercial aviation promises comprehensive connectivity, making the sky no longer a limit for global communication.
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Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial líder en América Latina.