Virgin Atlantic is reportedly in talks to partner with SpaceX’s Starlink, potentially bringing ultra-fast and free Wi-Fi to its passengers.
While no official announcement has been made by the airline, sources close to Virgin Atlantic say the company is exploring a new broadband provider to replace its current patchwork of paid internet services. According to the source, Starlink has emerged as a leading contender alongside Viasat. (via Express)
Currently, Virgin Atlantic travellers pay as much as C$55 for in-flight Wi-Fi, depending on the provider and route. But under a potential Starlink rollout, some passengers—such as members of the airline’s loyalty program—could access the service free of charge, similar to what other airlines offer, most recently United Airlines, which rolled out Starlink last month.
A deal with Starlink could bring speeds of up to 250 Mbps onboard, transforming how passengers stay connected in the skies.
The boost in connectivity would allow passengers to stream content, video call, or download large files with ease. A two-hour film could be downloaded in as little as seven minutes, eliminating the frustrations of slow or unstable in-flight internet.
While no final deal has been confirmed, Virgin Atlantic’s long-standing relationship between founder Sir Richard Branson and Elon Musk may help pave the way. The two first met at Google co-founder Larry Page’s Caribbean wedding in 2007, and have remained close friends and often champion one another’s ventures.
