Summary

  • airBaltic aims to disrupt the market by offering high-speed free WiFi without hassle.
  • Providing free WiFi onboard viewed as a necessity, anticipating higher speeds than airports.
  • airBaltic is currently working with SpaceX to swiftly install Starlink.

Last year, airBaltic announced plans to equip its entire Airbus A220 fleet with the SpaceX Starlink internet system and to offer free WiFi connectivity onboard all flights. However, the Latvian national carrier has yet to implement Starlink WiFi on its flights.

In an interview with Simple Flying this week, airBaltic’s CEO, Martin Gauss, provided an update on the airline’s plans and collaboration with the SpaceX team to equip its Airbus A220 fleet with onboard WiFi and talked about the importance of in-flight connectivity in the skies.

Disrupting the market

The airline, which exclusively operates Airbus A220 aircraft, aims to disrupt the market, becoming the first airline in Europe to offer high-speed complimentary WiFi without any hassle.

airBaltic Airbus A220 Landing In Istanbul

Photo: MBekir | Shutterstock

According to Gauss, having the option to access WiFi onboard the aircraft is not new in the airline market, as many airlines worldwide currently offer this. But no airline currently offers an easy way to connect onboard with high-speed internet “without any login, without any password” and for free, which will set the airline apart.

“It doesn’t exist, and we will do that.”

Indeed, the decision to implement hassle-free connectivity on their flights was driven not only by the airline’s desire to disrupt the industry. The airline’s CEO emphasized the importance of uninterrupted connectivity, emphasizing that in modern times, connectivity is essential for life as it is about staying connected to family, work, friends, and studies.

Making it a business case

Installing WiFi systems on multiple aircraft takes time and costs money. Therefore, offering free WiFi to passengers may not seem financially viable. However, airBatlic sees this initiative not just as a business case, but as a necessity.

Nevertheless, airBaltic expects that being the first in Europe to introduce Starlink internet onboard will still provide them with the opportunity to develop and establish a viable business case.

“Once we have it [Starlink – ed. note] on board, we will see the feedback. We will see that it is what people want. And I believe, once again, we will be innovative.”

airBaltic’s CEO anticipates that being exceptional and the only one in the market will differentiate it from competitors, attract customer attention, and likely boost ticket purchases.

“Imagine a passenger mistakenly flies with us from Riga to Lisbon. They will think, wow, that’s cool. However, the next time, they opt for a cheaper ticket with a competitor to save money. But once they’re onboard, they’ll notice the difference [without internet access – ed. note]. By the third time they fly, they might be trying to recall which airline offered this [free internet – ed. note].”

The airline also anticipates achieving higher internet speeds than those currently available at airports, enabling passengers to instantly play online games or stream Netflix.

Working on the STC

The airline’s CEO mentioned that airBaltic is actively collaborating with the SpaceX team to install Starlink internet swiftly. Both teams are currently working on obtaining the supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Airbus A220 to implement this internet system.

airbaltic a220 cabin

Photo: airBaltic

The airline is the largest operator of the Airbus A220-300 aircraft in the world, currently operating a fleet of 47 A220s with an average age of 3.9 years.

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