EasyJet plans to introduce onboard internet for the first time through an agreement with Starlink. The airline’s October 26, 2026 announcement places the start of installations in the first half of 2027, with completion expected in early 2028.
The planned service will allow passengers to browse the internet, stream entertainment and play online games using their own devices. EasyJet also identifies possible uses within its own passenger service, including access to journey information and ordering food and drinks through digital channels.
The announcement establishes a supplier and rollout schedule. Passenger pricing has not been announced, and the agreement’s financial value has not been disclosed.
Aircraft and Rollout Scope
EasyJet identifies the Airbus A320, A320neo and A321neo as the aircraft types included in the rollout. Installing satellite internet requires equipment on the aircraft as well as connectivity inside the cabin.
In its report on the agreement, Via Satellite listed 180 A320s, 75 A320neos and 22 A321neos in the airline’s fleet. Those figures total 277 aircraft, but they are a fleet snapshot rather than a separately confirmed contractual installation quantity.
The distinction matters because fleet composition can change during an installation program. The airline’s stated aircraft categories and completion target define the announced scope more directly than a fleet count taken on the announcement date.
How the Connection Works
A passenger connects a phone, tablet or laptop to the aircraft’s cabin Wi-Fi network. An onboard terminal then carries that traffic between the aircraft and Starlink satellites. The satellite network routes the traffic onward to the internet.
Starlink’s aviation terminal uses electronically steered antennas. Instead of relying on a dish that mechanically turns to follow a satellite, the antenna controls the direction of its radio beam electronically. That capability supports communication between a moving aircraft and satellites moving through low Earth orbit.
Low Earth orbit reduces the distance that signals travel compared with a connection through a geostationary satellite. Shorter travel distance can reduce propagation delay, one component of the time between sending a request and receiving a response.
Propagation delay is only part of overall latency. SpaceX’s technical explanation of network latency also identifies processing, scheduling and routing delays. Some traffic travels through inter-satellite laser links before reaching a ground connection, so the complete route affects performance.
Latency and bandwidth describe different aspects of service. Latency measures delay, which affects activities such as interactive gaming and real-time communication. Bandwidth describes the rate at which data can be transferred and helps determine how many demanding activities a connection can support.
An airline connectivity program also depends on aircraft integration, certification and operational support. These considerations are discussed in New Space Economy’s satellite broadband market analysis, which examines the equipment and service arrangements behind commercial satellite connectivity.
EasyJet’s schedule places the first installations in the first half of 2027. Availability will expand as aircraft receive the equipment, with the announced rollout expected to finish in early 2028.
