Air New Zealand to trial Starlink in key year for LEO-Enabled Plane Wi-Fi

Space News - On December 12, Air New Zealand revealed its intentions to conduct a trial of Starlink broadband on its domestic flights, entering the competitive arena of connecting aircraft through low Earth orbit (LEO) technology set to launch next year.

The LEO service from SpaceX, known as Starlink, is scheduled to be implemented on two Air New Zealand planes by late 2024 for an initial trial period lasting four to six months. This initiative includes the installation on a turboprop-powered ATR aircraft, marking a significant milestone for the airline.

Pending a successful trial run, Air New Zealand plans to expand the deployment of Starlink across other aircraft in its domestic fleet in 2025. As of October 31, the airline operated a total of 105 aircraft.

Air New Zealand emphasizes that Starlink connectivity will provide passengers with internet access comparable to home, boasting low latency as low as 30 milliseconds.

This partnership with Starlink positions the company as a key player in the aviation broadband sector, especially as rival LEO services from OneWeb, now under the ownership of geostationary satellite operator Eutelsat, are set to launch commercially for the aviation market in the coming year.

While SpaceX directly sells Starlink to airlines, OneWeb satellite services are distributed through partnerships, such as the deal with Intelsat, which operates a fleet in geostationary orbit (GEO). Intelsat recently secured a deal to equip nearly 500 regional jets operated by American Airlines with an antenna that connects to both GEO and OneWeb satellites in LEO.

Despite SpaceX early lead with Starlink, progress in the airline sector has been gradual, with technical and regulatory challenges requiring navigation. Some smaller U.S.-based regional jet service providers, like JSX, Flexjet, and Aero, have already launched Starlink services on their planes. However, major airlines like Hawaiian Airlines and airBaltic of Latvia have postponed plans to offer Starlink services until 2024.

Details about the plans of Qatar Airways and Japan Zipair to deploy Starlink connectivity remain limited. The competition between OneWeb and Starlink is intensifying, especially with Alaska Airlines recent announcement on December 3 to acquire Hawaiian Airlines, suggesting a potential head-to-head clash between the two satellite broadband providers in the near future.