SpaceX has launched Starlink Aviation, which is essentially the latter’s satellite internet service for airplanes.
“High-speed, low-latency, in-flight internet with connectivity across the globe. Reserve now with deliveries starting in 2023,” says the SpaceX website.
With Starlink Aviation, you’ll have access to streaming, video calls, gaming and more at any altitude, says SpaceX. “Starlink can deliver up to 350 Mbps to each plane, enabling all passengers to access streaming-capable internet at the same time,” says the company’s website.
“With latency as low as 20 ms, passengers can engage in activities previously not functional in flight, including video calls, online gaming, virtual private networks and other high data rate activities,” explains SpaceX.
SpaceX touts, “As the world’s largest satellite constellation with coverage over land, the oceans and polar regions, Starlink is positioned to connect passengers wherever your flight routes evolve.”
With Starlink, passengers will be able to access high-speed, low-latency internet from the moment they walk on their plane → https://t.co/bcn8jvpKgi pic.twitter.com/mDDQou1ZA3
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 19, 2022
The Starlink Aviation Kit includes an Aero Terminal, power supply, 2 wireless access points, and harnesses. There are no long-term contracts and all plans include unlimited data. Your hardware is under warranty for as long as you subscribe to the service, says SpaceX.
Starlink Aviation reservations require a $5000 credit card deposit, with deliveries to start in mid-2023. The hardware costs $150,000 USD and available service is aircraft dependent.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says Starlink within airplanes “will feel same as if you were accessing internet at home!”.
He later added today that a test of a “Starlink video call on one airplane aloft to Starlink on another, far away, airplane aloft and it worked perfectly with no lag!”.
We even did a Starlink video call on one airplane aloft to Starlink on another, far away, airplane aloft and it worked perfectly with no lag!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 19, 2022
