International Airlines Group (IAG) is set to dramatically overhaul onboard connectivity across its major carriers, announcing plans to install SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi on more than 500 aircraft beginning in early 2026. The upgrade will span Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL, and Vueling, making it one of the largest inflight Starlink deployments yet.
IAG says every aircraft that isn’t approaching retirement will receive the upgrade, putting the group on track to operate more high-speed Wi-Fi–equipped planes than any other airline conglomerate in Europe. The rollout will cover both short-haul and long-haul fleets, with installation timelines varying by carrier.
The decision comes as British Airways and Iberia continue pushing forward with their own customer-experience revamps. Both airlines have confirmed they will offer the Starlink service for free across all cabins once installations begin, joining a growing list of carriers embracing complimentary high-speed connectivity as a competitive differentiator.
IAG has experimented with several connectivity providers over the years—including Inmarsat, Viasat, Panasonic, and SES—but performance has never lived up to what customers experience from their home broadband connections. That has changed with Starlink, which has quickly gained traction in the aviation industry, with airlines such as WestJet, United, Qatar Airways, airBaltic, and Virgin Atlantic, and others already signing full-fleet deals.
The first IAG aircraft equipped with Starlink is expected to enter service in early 2026, with a phased installation plan extending across the group’s global network. Once complete, millions of passengers each year could see a major boost to inflight productivity—and entertainment—on some of Europe’s busiest routes.
