Hawaiian Airlines has raised the bar for in-flight connectivity by offering free, high-speed Wi-Fi powered by SpaceX’s Starlink technology onboard all its Airbus-operated flights.

Passengers flying long-haul across the Pacific can now enjoy seamless internet access, making Hawaiian Airlines one of the first U.S. carriers to introduce this groundbreaking service.

A New Wave of In-Flight Connectivity

The airline first rolled out Starlink Wi-Fi on February 9, 2024, during a flight from Honolulu (HNL) to Long Beach, California (LGB), on its Airbus A321neo aircraft. The airline says passenger response was overwhelmingly positive, and the service has since been expanded to all Airbus-operated flights between the U.S. mainland, Asia, and Oceania.

However, the technology rollout was delayed due to production delays of Starlink’s next-generation satellites and the need for clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for installation on aircraft.

Photo: Courtesy of Christian Brinkmann / Airbus

“Becoming the first major airline to offer travelers Starlink at no cost is a remarkable achievement for our team,” said Evan Nomura, Hawaiian Airlines’ Director of Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response from guests who have been enjoying our industry-leading connectivity onboard.”

Passengers can connect to Starlink from the moment they board the plane, and no registration or payment is required.

According to the carrier, the system delivers fast internet speeds, allowing passengers to stream videos, work, or games without interruption—even over the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean.

High-Speed Internet Across the Pacific

With Starlink’s constellation of more than 5,000 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, the Hawaiian carrier can now deliver high-speed internet comparable to that on the ground, with minimal latency.

Photo: Courtesy of Anirudh / Unsplash

“By the time we started considering it, there was a new technology that provided much more bandwidth than what people had previously experienced,” said CEO Peter Ingram. “People can connect multiple devices and still enjoy high-quality service, which is better than the typical airline Wi-Fi experience.”

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines

Passenger experience analysis website PaxEx.aero reviewed Hawaiian’s new Starlink-powered inflight connectivity and yielded impressive results. “Starlink stood out with exceptional numbers. I ran a test about every hour throughout the trip, and only one came in with a download speed of less than 100Mbps,” said the website’s publisher, Seth Miller.

Airbus Fleet Connectivity

Hawaiian Airlines has successfully implemented the Starlink system across its entire fleet of 24 Airbus A330 and 17 A321neo aircraft. Additionally, the airline plans to outfit its upcoming Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with this cutting-edge technology as these new planes are delivered through 2027.

Notably, the airline recently took delivery of its first Dreamliner and marked the occasion with an inaugural flight in April. At present, Hawaiian Airlines is operating two 787s, with both expected to be equipped with the advanced Starlink system in the near future.

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines

For passengers, this means consistent, high-speed connectivity on nearly all of Hawaiian’s long-haul flights. However, the carrier has decided not to install Starlink on its Boeing 717 aircraft, which are used for short inter-island routes.

95th Anniversary and Merger with Alaska Airlines

The introduction of Starlink is just one of many initiatives Hawaiian Airlines has planned for its 95th-anniversary celebrations. “It’s our 95th anniversary this year, so we have several things planned over the course of the year to celebrate that,” explained Avi Mannis, Chief Marketing Officer of Hawaiian Airlines.

Among these plans are the merger with Alaska Airlines.

Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has recently received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. The deal is expected to be finalized soon, creating a combined force in the West Coast and transpacific markets, with over 360 aircraft serving more than 130 destinations.

It is currently unclear whether Alaska Airlines will adopt the Starlink connectivity suite once the merger is complete.

Starlink’s Airline Global Expansion

Hawaiian Airlines’ partnership with SpaceX has paved the way for other airlines to adopt Starlink’s game-changing technology. While Hawaiian is the first U.S. airline to roll out the service, several global carriers are following suit.

Photo: Courtesy of airBaltic

Latvia’s AirBaltic has announced plans to install Starlink terminals onboard its fleet of Airbus A220 jets. Similarly, Japan’s ZIPAIR has expressed its intention to launch Starlink connectivity for its long-haul flights onboard its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Qatar Airways, the largest carrier to partner with SpaceX, has become the first major carrier in the Middle East to strike a deal with Starlink for in-flight connectivity. Meanwhile, Air New Zealand trialed the service on two aircraft—an ATR turboprop and a A320—on domestic routes this year.

Photo: Courtesy of United

United Airlines has also made headlines by becoming the first major U.S. carrier to offer free Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire fleet. This partnership with SpaceX will bring high-speed, low-latency internet to over 1,000 United aircraft, delivering gate-to-gate connectivity for domestic and international flights.

A Bright Future for In-Flight Connectivity

Hawaiian Airlines’ move to introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi marks a major milestone in the evolution of in-flight connectivity, providing passengers with an experience that rivals what they expect on the ground. As other airlines adopt similar technology, passengers can look forward to a new era of high-speed internet at 35,000 feet.

“Our goal is to blend our rich history with cutting-edge technology, and the introduction of Starlink Wi-Fi is a testament to our commitment to offering the best possible experience to our passengers,” concluded Ingram.

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