Skies Connected
In a significant move, the French airline will collaborate with Starlink to provide high-speed WiFi for free across all its flights. According to the official press release from the airline, starting in 2025, Air France will gradually offer a high-speed connectivity service that promises an “at-home” experience.
Similar to terrestrial internet services, the connection through Starlink—using satellites in low Earth orbit—will ensure a stable, fast, and secure user experience. This service will be available globally, even in remote areas such as over oceans, although some overflown countries may impose restrictions.
This advancement means passengers can enjoy the latest Netflix series episode, continue writing news on Mac4Ever (just in case), work online with their office to exchange emails and respond to important ones immediately, and more.
While the service is free, there are certain conditions. Passengers will need to have a Flying Blue account, the loyalty program offered by Air France-KLM. However, for those who might forget or sign up late, you can create an account onboard thanks to the available connection. However, patience is required as the full deployment won’t be complete until the summer of 2025.
A Precedent
This agreement, however, is not unique nor the first of its kind. Last week, United Airlines announced a similarly historic partnership with SpaceX, the company behind Starlink. This will allow United to equip over 1,000 aircraft with high-speed Internet access, provided free of charge to its passengers.
This partnership positioned United as the first airline in the world to deploy Starlink at such a scale, covering both its domestic and international flights. Testing will start in 2025, and the first commercial flights with this connectivity will occur later in the year.
One of the key features of Starlink is its ability to provide global Internet coverage, including in the most remote areas, such as oceans and polar regions. As you may know, this network of low-orbit satellites enables the connection of multiple devices simultaneously, providing a smooth browsing experience whether for streaming, gaming, or online shopping.
United Airlines aims to transform the travel experience for its passengers, allowing them to enjoy the same digital comforts they would have on the ground, even at 35,000 feet altitude.
Hi, my name is Disha and I’m a passionate writer and editor at “Jason Deegan”. With a keen interest in all things tech, I strive to bring you the latest news and updates from the world of high-tech.