El Al Signs Deal with Starlink to Offer Free High-Speed Inflight Internet

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1 day ago

Israel’s flag carrier, El Al Israel Airlines, has signed an agreement with Starlink to roll out high-speed internet across its entire fleet starting next year. The service will be offered free of charge to passengers, enabling simultaneous connections for hundreds of users in a global market where airlines are increasingly leveraging inflight connectivity to attract premium customers.

El Al CEO Levy Halevy highlighted the impact of the partnership: “Integrating Starlink’s technology into El Al aircraft is a definitive step forward. It will allow our customers to stay connected in the air, enjoy live streaming, and continue working and communicating seamlessly without interruptions.”

Starlink’s Technological Edge and Fleet Modernization

Unlike traditional, slower systems that rely on large geostationary satellites, Starlink utilizes a constellation of thousands of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.

Starlink currently operates nearly two-thirds of all active satellites in space and serves as SpaceX’s primary revenue driver. So far in 2026, the division has already secured 11 new commercial airline customers, maintaining direct competition with Amazon.

This technological deployment will complement the Israeli carrier’s fleet expansion plans:

Long-Haul Fleet: The airline operates a relatively young fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which it plans to expand in the coming years alongside its route network.
Short- and Medium-Haul Fleet: The company also holds active orders to incorporate Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for its European operations.

Market Context and Competitive Landscape

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023, El Al has experienced a surge in profits while operating in a limited competitive environment, as numerous international airlines temporarily suspended flights to Israel.

However, this competitive dynamic is projected to shift in the near term if the agreement between Washington and Tehran to halt the war in Iran holds. In fact, major US rivals such as Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have already confirmed plans to resume operations to Tel Aviv starting in September. The Starlink rollout represents El Al’s core strategy to retain its market positioning and continue attracting high-yield travelers ahead of the imminent return of its global competitors.