Air France and Starlink to Introduce Free High-Speed In-Flight Internet Starting in 2025

Following United Airlines' announcement of a partnership with Starlink earlier this month, it's now Air France's turn. Both airlines aim to offer free high-speed Wi-Fi on board starting in 2025. It's still unclear whether this service will also be available on KLM, as Air France is part of the Air France-KLM group.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is a satellite network developed by SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, who is also known as the founder of Tesla. Starlink aims to provide high-speed internet globally, especially in remote areas where traditional internet is unavailable. Think of places like rural areas, mountain villages, ships at sea, and even airplanes.

The network consists of thousands of small satellites orbiting the Earth at a low altitude. Currently, there are over 6,000 active satellites. Starlink has more than 3 million customers in 100 countries. This approach allows Starlink to offer fast and reliable internet without the limitations of physical cables.

Using Starlink on a plane feels like you’re on a high-speed ground fiber connection.

Air France to Offer Free Ultra-Fast Wi-Fi on All Aircraft

Starting in 2025, Air France will provide free ultra-fast Wi-Fi on all its aircraft, including both long-haul flights and regional planes. This was announced in the press release on September 26. In the coming months, all aircraft will be retrofitted to enable this service.

With this move, Air France takes a significant step in enhancing the passenger experience. By leveraging Starlink's advanced satellite technology, passengers can enjoy an internet experience during their flight that is comparable to what they have on the ground. This means travelers can stay online, work, or stream without any additional costs, regardless of their destination.

Until the Starlink service is fully available, passengers can use the existing internet plans currently offered on board. Air France provides three different internet plans to meet the needs of all travelers:

• Message Pass: Free access to messaging apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, and WeChat.
• Surf Pass: For a small fee, you can browse the web, check emails, and use social media.
• Stream Pass: For a premium price, you can stream videos and use more data-intensive applications.