In November 2025, International Airlines Group (IAG) announced plans to introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi across the brand’s airlines, including British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus.
We recently saw British Airways equip its first plane with Starlink Wi-Fi, and there’s now another positive update, as the first Aer Lingus plane has just been fitted with the service. We also know the timeline with which most other Aer Linugs planes are expected to feature this service.
Aer Lingus installing free Starlink Wi-Fi
Aer Lingus is partnering with SpaceX to introduce Starlink Wi-Fi throughout its fleet, including on long haul and short haul aircraft. Best of all, Aer Lingus is offering Starlink Wi-Fi for free for all passengers. With this system, it’s possible to connect with multiple devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Aer Lingus doesn’t even require you to be a member of its loyalty program in order to use the service, which is an area where IAG carriers are (generously) countering the industry trend, as other airlines are using Starlink as a way to drive loyalty program sign-ups.
Starlink is known for its high-speed, low-latency broadband internet, and the service is offered gate to gate. Starlink Wi-Fi allows for live streaming, productivity similar to on the ground (with high upload and download speeds), gaming, e-commerce, and more.
Starlink is becoming increasingly popular with airlines. So far we’ve seen carriers like airBaltic, Air France, Air New Zealand, British Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Korean Air, Lufthansa Group, Qatar Airways, SAS, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and WestJet, all announce plans to install the service.
Aer Lingus’ Starlink Wi-Fi rollout schedule
Aer Lingus has just revealed that it has already started its Starlink Wi-Fi rollout. Usefully, Aer Lingus is starting its Starlink Wi-Fi rollout on its Airbus A330 fleet, which operate the carrier’s longest flights. The A330 with the registration code EI-EIN is the first to get the service.
After being fitted with Starlink antennas, the plane underwent extensive testing to prepare for its first passenger flight. That plane operated its first passenger flight today, on EI5 from Dublin (DUB) to New York (JFK). This will pave the way for a wider fleet rollout later this year.
Aer Lingus expected to equip Starlink on all long haul aircraft by the first quarter of 2027, so that would include all A330 (A330-200 and A330-300) and A321 (A321LR and A321XLR) aircraft. Mainline aircraft operating regional flights primarily within Europe will get Starlink after that, though the timeline remains to be seen.
Here’s how Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton describes this development:
“Introducing Starlink on our first aircraft is a big moment for us in Aer Lingus. It means our customers can browse, download and stream at speeds as fast as, or quicker than, they’d get at home.
“This level of connectivity is a real gamechanger. It gives our customers more freedom in how they spend their time on board and it helps our crews and teams work more efficiently. As we mark our 90th year, Starlink is just one of a number of customer improvements we’re bringing to Aer Lingus.”
Bottom line
Aer Lingus is introducing free Starlink Wi-Fi, with installation underway. The first A330 now has the service, and all planes operating long haul flights should have Starlink by early 2027, at which point regional aircraft will also get the service. Unlike non-IAG carriers, Aer Lingus isn’t requiring passengers to be a member of the loyalty program to connect to the service.
What do you make of Aer Lingus introducing free Starlink Wi-Fi?