Lufthansa Group has announced a major partnership with SpaceX that will see Starlink installed across its entire fleet of roughly 850 aircraft, making it the largest airline group in Europe to roll out Starlink-powered in-flight internet at this scale. According to Lufthansa, installations will begin as early as the second half of 2026, with the full fleet expected to be equipped by 2029.
The new high-speed Wi-Fi service will be available across all travel classes and, notably, will be free of charge for Lufthansa status customers and Travel ID users. Lufthansa said the Starlink-based system will deliver internet access that feels much closer to what passengers experience on the ground, enabling streaming, cloud-based work, and other bandwidth-heavy applications during flights. The airline lauded Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite network for offering the fastest in-flight connectivity currently available.
“In our anniversary year, in which we are celebrating Lufthansa’s 100th birthday, we have decided to introduce a new high-speed internet solution from Starlink for all our airlines,” said Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group. “The Lufthansa Group is taking the next step and setting an essential milestone for the premium travel experience of our customers. Connectivity on board plays an important role today, and with Starlink, we are not only investing in the best product on the market, but also in the satisfaction of our passengers.”
Image: Lufthansa Group
Until now, Lufthansa Group airlines relied on Deutsche Telekom’s LTE-based offering for in-flight internet. The move underscores the rapid momentum Starlink has built in the aviation sector. Over the past few months alone, major carriers like Emirates and flydubai have signed deals to bring free Starlink-powered Wi-Fi to passengers, while British Airways has confirmed plans to roll out complimentary service starting this year. In North America, Alaska Airlines has said it’s fast-tracking Starlink deployment across its fleet following successful early trials.
Meanwhile, Qatar Airways has quietly become Starlink’s largest airline partner, operating the world’s biggest Starlink-equipped widebody fleet. Adding Lufthansa’s 850 aircraft to that growing list further cements Starlink’s position as the dominant player in next-generation in-flight connectivity.
Importantly, SpaceX has indicated that free Wi-Fi is likely here to stay. Starlink’s global head of aviation, Nick Seitz, recently confirmed that airlines partnering with the service are expected to keep satellite-powered internet free for passengers, shifting in-flight connectivity from a paid perk to a standard feature.
For Lufthansa passengers, that means faster, more reliable internet in the air is finally on the horizon — without having to pull out a credit card mid-flight.
