Virgin Atlantic has announced a major in-flight connectivity upgrade, becoming the first U.K. airline to strike a deal with SpaceX’s Starlink for high-speed, satellite-powered Wi-Fi across its entire fleet.
Starting in Q3 2026, Virgin Atlantic will begin installing Starlink’s satellite Wi-Fi on its Boeing 787s, Airbus A350s, and A330neos, with the rollout expected to wrap up by the end of 2027. The service will be offered completely free of charge for Flying Club members.
Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Chief Experience Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said Starlink will deliver “free, streaming quality, unlimited, fleet-wide Wi-Fi,” with speeds fast enough for everything from streaming and gaming to video calls and online shopping. “Together with Starlink, we are delighted to provide our guests with the best connectivity in the skies, further elevating our onboard experience.”
The airline describes the experience as “a home away from home,” enabling passengers to seamlessly connect from gate to gate using multiple devices, including phones, tablets, and laptops.
Starlink’s expansion into aviation continues to gain speed. According to Ookla’s latest analysis, SpaceX’s satellite network is driving faster in-flight Wi-Fi across the globe. Virgin Atlantic now joins an expanding list of Starlink airline partners that includes Qatar Airways, United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and JSX. Emirates is also reportedly in talks with SpaceX for future in-flight connectivity.
This announcement comes after Virgin Atlantic completed a $17 billion fleet modernization last year, securing seven additional A330-900neo aircraft.
