Quiet Flights Over? Musk’s Internet Is Coming to Wizz Air Planes

Wizz Air announced that it will begin offering Starlink's high-speed satellite internet on its aircraft starting in 2027. The service will be rolled out gradually across the airline's fleet and is expected to bring one of the world's most advanced connectivity technologies to low-cost flights.

According to the company, Wizz Air will be the first European ultra low-cost carrier to commit to installing the Starlink system across its fleet. The move could change the experience of budget travel, which until now has usually meant giving up almost all access to fast internet during the flight.

Starlink is the satellite internet system of SpaceX, Elon Musk's space company. It is based on thousands of relatively low-orbit satellites, which allow for shorter response times and higher browsing speeds compared with older satellite systems.

The connection is expected to allow passengers to stream content, make video calls, work remotely, upload files and use the internet continuously during the flight. The actual quality of service will depend on the flight route, the number of users, satellite coverage and the company's agreement with the provider.

Wizz Air's move joins a series of airlines that have already adopted, or said they will adopt, Starlink, including United Airlines, Emirates, American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and others. However, even after the service is activated, passengers will still be required to switch their phones to airplane mode according to crew instructions, and then connect to the aircraft's wireless network.