1. Corporate
  2. Media centre
  3. Press releases
  4. Wi-Fly! Virgin Atlantic becomes the first UK airline to announce free, fleet-wide Starlink Wi-Fi
  • Starlink provides the fastest, most reliable connectivity in the sky 
  • Guests will enjoy free, streaming quality, gate to gate connectivity in all cabins
  • Availability will begin in Q3 2026 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027

 

Virgin Atlantic is the first UK airline to announce plans to introduce Starlink in-flight connectivity. The airline will begin installing streaming-quality Wi-Fi on its Boeing 787s, Airbus A350s, and A330neos from Q3 2026, with the installation expected to be completed by the end of 2027.  

By leveraging the world's most advanced satellite constellation in low Earth orbit, Starlink offers high-speed, low-latency internet access around the world, including the most isolated areas. This makes for a reliable, fast, and secure user experience. The fastest Wi-Fi in the skies will be offered entirely free of charge for Flying Club members, creating a digitally connected cabin, across its entire fleet. 

The new service aims to create a ‘home away from home’ Wi-Fi experience, allowing customers to connect seamlessly, from the moment they board the aircraft, enjoying the same quality in the air as they do on the ground.  During the flight, Starlink will enable customers to enjoy elevated entertainment, including downloading and streaming their favourite TV shows, gaming with friends on the ground, browsing internet shopping, catching up on work, watching live sports games and connecting with friends and family.  Customers will be able to utilise multiple devices simultaneously including smartphones, laptops and tablets.  

 

Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Chief Experience Officer, Virgin Atlantic, commented;

“We never stop innovating for our guests and today, in a first for any UK airline, we’ll soon have free, streaming quality, unlimited, fleet-wide Wi-Fi.  Together with Starlink, we are delighted to provide our guests with the best connectivity in the skies, further elevating our onboard experience.

“The new service allows our guests to create a home away from home experience, allowing customers to connect seamlessly, from the moment they board the aircraft, enjoying the same quality in the air as they do on the ground.”

In July 2024, Virgin Atlantic confirmed an order for seven A330-900neos, completing its $17 billion fleet transformation. By 2028, the airline will operate a mixed fleet of 45 next-generation aircraft comprising 19 A330-900s, 12 A350-1000s, and 14 787-9s.

 

ENDS  

 

For further information please contact the Virgin Atlantic press office on +441293 747373 or email press.office@fly.virgin.com     

About Virgin Atlantic         

Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2024, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the eighth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 8,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 28 destinations across four continents throughout the year.       

Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers.  Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.         

Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact.  The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies, with an average age under seven years. In October 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed its first A330-900’s to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2028.  In November 2023, the airline led a consortium to deliver the world’s first flight across the Atlantic on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), demonstrating that 100% SAF can be used safely as a drop in fuel in existing infrastructure, engines and airframes. The need to scale production is an industry imperative and Virgin Atlantic is committed to radical collaboration across the energy chain to support commercialisation ahead of 2030.        For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, X and Instagram @virginatlantic.     

 

About Starlink

Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to users all over the world. As the world's first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit, Starlink delivers broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.  Starlink is engineered and operated by SpaceX. As the world’s leading provider of launch services, SpaceX is leveraging its deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations to deploy the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Learn more at www.starlink.com Follow Starlink on X https://x.com/Starlink