IAG will equip 500+ aircraft with Starlink high-speed WiFi from 2026
November 7, 2025
International Airlines Group (IAG) has announced a significant deal with Starlink to bring high-speed in-flight connectivity to more than 500 aircraft across its airlines – British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, and LEVEL – beginning in early 2026.
The initiative will make IAG’s fleet the most extensively equipped for high-speed WiFi in Europe, according to the group.
IAG airlines will deliver home-speed connectivity in the air
The Starlink-enabled system will deliver what IAG calls “reliable, high-speed WiFi connectivity,” enabling customers to stream, work, and play online with speeds comparable to, or better than, typical home broadband connections.
Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit network supports download speeds of up to 150–450 megabits per second (Mb/s) and upload speeds of 20–70 Mb/s. At those rates, a high-definition film of roughly 4–5 GB can be downloaded in about five minutes. For comparison to ground-based connectivity, IAG cites figures from the UK regulator Ofcom, which show the UK home average maximum download speed was 223 Mb per second in 2024.
The airline group said the Starlink rollout will support connectivity on both short-haul European routes and long-haul transatlantic and global services across its airlines.
IAG Starlink rollout scope and fleet coverage
At the end of last year, IAG airlines operated a combined fleet of 601 aircraft. The airline group confirmed that all aircraft not scheduled for near-term retirement will be equipped with the new Starlink system.
Implementation timelines will vary by airline and aircraft type, with individual rollout plans to be announced by the group’s airlines as schedules are finalised.
The airlines in the IAG group currently offer connectivity from a variety of service providers, including Inmarsat, Viasat, Panasonic Avionics, and SES. The switch to a single IFC provider will also ensure a consistent online experience for passengers when they transfer between carriers.
Other European carriers are also adding Starlink WiFi
Starlink is gaining market share in the airline industry, with major contracts announced worldwide, including in Europe. Air France, which expects 30% of its aircraft to be equipped with Starlink connections by the end of this year, and full fleet coverage by the end of 2026.
Air France’s Scandinavian SkyTeam partner, SAS, has also announced a fleet-wide installation of Starlink connectivity beginning this year. airBaltic was the first European airline to offer Starlink connections, installed on its fleet of Airbus A220 aircraft.
Notably, IAG has not yet announced whether the group’s airlines will offer Starlink connections free of charge, as competitors have done.
A group-wide advance in in-flight connectivity
IAG Chief Executive Luis Gallego said the partnership reflects the Group’s continued investment in innovation and customer experience.
“Staying connected in the skies is increasingly important to our airlines’ customers,” he said. “The introduction of high-speed WiFi from Starlink will transform onboard connectivity, improving both the connection speed and reliability for customers. Customers from all IAG airlines will be able to benefit from the service from next year. This demonstrates how IAG is working together as a group to drive innovation and secure major deals to benefit all our stakeholders.”
The Starlink rollout forms part of IAG’s Group-wide transformation programme, which includes deploying artificial intelligence to optimise engine maintenance and creating the IAGi fund to invest in high-potential technology startups and scale-ups.
By adopting Starlink across its entire airline portfolio, IAG aims to deliver a consistent, high-quality digital experience to passengers regardless of brand or route. Once fully implemented, IAG expects to operate more aircraft with high-speed WiFi than any other European airline group, making high-speed connectivity a core element of its passenger experience strategy.
Featured Image: British Airways
