EXPLAINER

Free on-board WiFi? List of airlines that offer it now, or announced work-from-plane (WFP) rollout

More aircraft being outfitted with new satellite hardware as deployments accelerate

Last updated:
Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor
Most airlines are now working to update their fleet to make onboard WiFi part of the standard offering for passengers.
Most airlines are now working to update their fleet to make onboard WiFi part of the standard offering for passengers.
Twitter | Starlink

There's a new trend in the air, quite literally: "Work from plane" (WFP) has officially entered the chat.

It's an upgrade from work from home (WFH), only with better views.

Thanks to blazing-fast in-flight WiFi, this this mode of working has taken off thanks to the increasing availability of broadband signals on board — proof that not even gravity can stop modern work.

Work from plane

The trend is enabling high-speed WiFi while now cruising at 36,000 feet, thanks in no small part to the use of reusable rockets, rapidly accelerating the cadence of satellite launches and supporting streaming in remote places of the planet — and now, WFP:

These are the primary providers:

Starlink: A constellation of to 9,600 low-earth orbit satellites as of latest count)

Viasat: 23 geostationary satellites, including the former Inmarsat system and ViaSat-3, to enable faster, lower-latency WiFi (often 100-300+ Mbps)

Amazon Leo: Currently has 180 low-Earth orbit satellites, with plans to expand it to 700 satellites in orbit by July 30, 2026, and eventually up to 3,230+ satellites (formerly "Project Kuiper").

Rewriting the rules of aviation

Currently, in-flight Wi-Fi availability still depends on the aircraft type and route, it's now rewriting the rules of in-flight connectivity.

Smaller satellite antennas and improved systems, allowing passengers to surf at speeds nearly 100× faster than legacy onboard Wi-Fi.

It enables faster, low-latency WiFi (often 100-300+ Mbps) compared to traditional systems, supporting streaming and work.

As of early 2026, several airlines have partnered with SpaceX's Starlink and Viasat (and eventually Amazon Leo).

Rollout is going at a frenetic pace, with Emirates, for example, targetting 150 aircraft hooked up to Starlink by the end of 2026.

500 Mbps
Low-profile hardware (antenna) mounted on the top of the fuselage for Starlink service

30+ airlines

How many airlines have joined this airborne productivity boom and mile-high multitasking?

The list is growing, quickly. As installations accelerate, around 30+ carriers already have deals, though not all have passenger-facing service live yet.

While some offer it on select aircraft or routes, others are in the process of rolling it out across fleets. Many provide it free of charge (often to loyalty members or all passengers), with gate-to-gate connectivity on equipped planes.

Here are the airlines currently offering or actively deploying Starlink WiFi for passengers, based on recent announcements and reports:

Airlines with Wi-Fi (as of Feb 2026)

As of early 2026, several airlines have partnered with SpaceX's Starlink to provide high-speed satellite WiFi to passengers.

  • Emirates

  • Etihad

  • United Airlines

  • flydubai

  • Alaska Airlines

  • Gulf Air

  • Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines)

  • Qatar Airways

  • airBaltic

  • Air France

  • WestJet

  • American Air

  • British Airways

  • Korean Air

  • Asiana Airlines

  • Virgin Atlantic

  • SAS Scandinavian Airlines

  • Iberia

  • Aer Lingus

  • Vueling

  • LEVEL

  • flydubai

  • airBaltic

  • Jin Air

  • ZIPAIR Tokyo

  • Air Busan

  • Air Seoul

  • JSX

  • Hawaiian Airlines

  • Air Canada

Expanding in 2026

Many arlines have announced plans (often starting or expanding in 2026) including: BA (and other IAG carriers like Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling), Lufthansa Group (including Lufthansa, Austrian, SWISS, etc., rollout from mid-2026), Air New Zealand, SAS (Scandinavian Airlines), JSX (regional/charter), Korean Air (+ affiliates like Asiana, Jin Air), Zipair, Virgin Atlantic

Notes: Check your airline's website or app with your specific flight for the most up-to-date details on on-board Wi-Fi, or refer to their official in-flight connectivity page.

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