Hawaiian Airlines has started rolling out free high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi on most of its transpacific fleet, enhancing in-flight connectivity for passengers. As of September 24, 2024, the airline has completed installing antennas for SpaceX’s Starlink service across its 42 Airbus aircraft, which includes 24 A330s and 18 A321Neos. This marks a significant step forward for in-flight internet, offering passengers Wi-Fi with speeds and latency comparable to home broadband services, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, or working while flying across the Pacific.
The airline first announced its partnership with SpaceX in April 2022, making it the first major airline to bring Starlink to its fleet. Since then, Starlink has also partnered with other airlines like United, aiming to connect over 1,000 planes globally.
Hawaiian plans to extend this service to its incoming Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, expected by 2027. However, its smaller Boeing 717 planes, used for short inter-island flights, won’t be equipped with the service due to the nature of their routes. This addition represents a leap in on-board technology for Hawaiian Airlines, which had not previously offered Wi-Fi.
Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network ensures fast, reliable connections by utilizing thousands of satellites much closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, making it possible for passengers to experience minimal lag, even on long-haul flights.
With this advancement, Hawaiian Airlines is set to compete strongly in the in-flight connectivity space, promising a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience for passengers.
