Starlink secures new inflight Wi‑Fi deal with Israel's El Al as satellite network expands

Israel's flag carrier El Al announced a partnership with SpaceX subsidiary Starlink to provide free, high‑speed inflight Wi‑Fi across its fleet beginning in 2027. The service will support hundreds of simultaneous users on long‑haul routes, including the airline's Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Starlink is rapidly growing its low‑Earth‑orbit constellation, operating about 10,400 satellites that make up roughly three‑quarters of all maneuverable satellites in orbit. The network now serves more than 12 million active subscribers in over 160 countries and is rolling out next‑generation “Gen3” satellites capable of terabit‑level downlink capacity. Production in SpaceX’s Redmond facility averages 70 satellites per week, with launches continuing from Vandenberg Space Force Base. While the United States leads the effort, competitors such as China are planning thousands of satellites of their own, intensifying the global race for broadband from space.