Lufthansa launches Starlink-powered high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi

Lufthansa Group has officially launched its high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi service powered by Starlink technology. The inaugural flight, an Airbus A320neo traveling from Frankfurt to Rome, saw the system activated by CEO Jens Ritter at an altitude of 10,000 meters.

The new connectivity, branded as ‘Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi’, utilizes SpaceX’s low-Earth orbit satellite constellation to provide high-bandwidth internet capable of supporting cloud-based work and video streaming. The service is offered free of charge to Miles & More loyalty members and Travel ID users across all cabin classes. To maintain passenger tranquility, the airline has prohibited active voice and video calls, as well as live streaming.

Lufthansa plans an extensive rollout, aiming to equip approximately 850 aircraft across the group—including Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines—by 2029. An additional ten A320 aircraft are expected to receive the upgrade by the end of 2026. Installations will primarily take place at Lufthansa Technik facilities in Berlin during scheduled maintenance.

This technological shift marks a transition in connectivity providers for the airline, as Starlink replaces Deutsche Telekom as the primary provider for Lufthansa's onboard connectivity.