The Lufthansa Group has revealed it is going all-in on Starlink, a long-overdue Wi-Fi upgrade that will transform internet onboard from tepid to fast across a handful of key European carriers.
Starlink Wi-Fi Is Coming To Lufthansa Group, And It Will Be Free For Miles & More Members
Lufthansa Group has announced a new collaboration with Starlink that will bring high-speed broadband internet to around 850 aircraft across all of its airlines, including both the existing fleet and new deliveries.
While the rollout will take time, this is not a one-airline pilot program or a limited subfleet experiment. Lufthansa Group says it plans to equip all group airlines, and all fleet types, with Starlink connectivity.
That means the upgrade is intended for the full portfolio, including:
- Air Dolomiti
- Austrian Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- Edwelweiss
- Eurowings
- ITA Airways
- Lufthansa
- SWISS
Lufthansa Group says Starlink is expected to be available on the first flights as early as the second half of 2026.
The rollout is then expected to continue through 2029, at which point the group says the entire fleet should be equipped.
That is a long window, but a fleetwide retrofit across hundreds of aircraft was never going to happen overnight. The important part is that Lufthansa Group is committing to scale and fleetwide consistency…Meanwhile, Air France is adding Starlink, but KLM is not.
Free Wi-Fi, But You Need A Miles & More Travel ID
Lufthansa Group says the new high-speed internet will be free of charge for passengers who have a Travel ID, which is free to register for. A Travel ID is a login for all Lufthansa Group digital services, including Miles & More, flight bookings on Lufthansa Group airline websites, airline apps, and onboard Wi-Fi.
This is the model we are seeing more and more. Airlines want the PR win of free Wi-Fi, and they also want you inside their ecosystem, logged in, trackable, and marketable. I am fine with that trade, as long as the product works. If Starlink delivers what it has been delivering elsewhere, this will be a major quality-of-life improvement on Lufthansa Group flights.
I’m Excited To See Lufthansa Invest!
This is overdue, and it is the right move.
Lufthansa Group has spent years talking about premium. Seats matter, lounges matter, catering matters, but connectivity has become part of the basic expectation for modern travel. While Lufthansa is still struggling over its Allegris project, thankfully, Starlink is an off-the-shelf product that will not have to be hopelessly modified and customized on each aircraft in a way that will drag this out until 2039 instead of 2029.
This is an investment that actually improves the passenger experience for everyone onboard and creates a very discernible distinction between Lufthansa and its budget rivals that do not offer Wi-Fi onboard at all.
CONCLUSION
Lufthansa Group is partnering with Starlink to equip around 850 aircraft across all group airlines with high-speed onboard internet, with the first flights expected to get the new service in the second half of 2026 and a fleetwide rollout planned through 2029.
The best part is that the internet will be free for passengers with a Miles & More Travel ID, which is free to sign up for. If Starlink performs as advertised, this will be a genuinely meaningful upgrade for Lufthansa Group travelers.
images: Lufthansa
Lufthansa, Qatar… more and more are adopting Starlink. Regardless of the service provider, all airlines should adopt reliable WiFi, and offer it for free to all their passengers. The technology is there; it’s a choice not to provide it as an amenity. In the US, Delta and jetBlue have been the two airlines to initially offer free WiFi. Sure, T-Mobile customers have had free access on other airlines. And, finally, AA just started offering it. United really should drop the silly $8 fee and just started offering it as well. Upgrade the hardware as needed. C’mon.
More 1990 BS. UA has installed free Starlink wifi on 300 two-class RJs. Mainline is next and once the STC is issued installations happen fast (4 days for Starlink vs 10 days for last-gen, high latency legacy Wifi systems.
Starlink users enjoy far superior speeds, stability, reliability and lower latency (delay) due to arrays of low earth orbit (closer) satellites that enable gaming, streaming, and video calls that are rough or impractical on other providers like ViaSat that also has huge holes in its coverage. Starlink is a game-changer.
Starlink installs in four days v 10 and weighs 85 v 300 pounds with more streamlined antennae. More reliable with weather proof laser switching between more numerous and optimal satellites.
So far Air France, Air New Zealand, Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic among airlines going with Starlink.
Faster install, means less down time: We will be taking each plane out of service for four days to de-install existing equipment, install Starlink, run tests and close-up the aircraft parts opened during the install, versus an average 10 or more days for other inflight providers.
Streamlined equipment: The entire Starlink installation kit weighs 85 pounds, compared to other inflight provider kits that can weigh up to 300 pounds. Starlink is also electronically steered with no moving parts, making it easier to transport and install and requiring less maintenance.
Simpler install: Streamlined equipment means a simpler install. Once an aircraft is taken out of service for the install, the existing Wi-Fi is uninstalled. Then the Starlink equipment is installed, including an internal reinforcement structure, external antenna and main cabin wireless access points and power supply. Finally, the team runs system checks before closing the interior.
More fuel-efficient: Starlink’s 85-pound footprint on the aircraft means the aircraft requires less fuel to operate than other inflight providers.
Weather-proofed: Weather on the ground doesn’t hinder connectivity thanks to a weather-proofed laser link between satellites and the aircraft.
More reliable: Starlink-equipped aircraft will constantly switch between Starlink’s low-earth orbit constellation of satellites to ensure the best, most reliable Wi-Fi onboard.
To compliment the Wi-Fi rollout by 2029, Five Star Hansa is also announcing the installation of USB-A ports on all aircraft by 2032. When asked if this rollout was a little late and obsolete, CEO Karsten Spohr responded, “Who cares? The German government protects us from competitors. If you need a charge take DB. They’ll certainly give you plenty of time to get all your devices charged. “
Why bother installing satellite internet when you can’t even get business class right? Priorities, people.
By the time Lufthansa finishes this installation, I’ll bet that Starlink is the then equivalent of dial up broadband, either that or Must will take his toys home in the wake of sanctions from the European Union for his pedalling porn in exchange for money.
2Starhansa will continue as ever.
Sincere kudos to Lufthansa Group! Keep up the good work!