Starlink In-Flight WiFi Is Spreading Across Airlines: How to Check Your Plane

Starlink says more than 1,400 commercial planes worldwide have been equipped with its ultra-high-speed internet. More than 40 commercial carriers have announced deals, with airlines including United Airlines, Emirates, British Airways, and Air New Zealand mentioned among the global carriers tied to the rollout.

For travelers, the key takeaway is simple: satellite-based onboard internet is moving from a novelty to a more common part of the flight experience.

Business Insider reported that airlines offering Starlink do so free of charge, though some require passengers to sign up for loyalty programs. In a previous Business Insider test on Qatar Airways’ first Starlink flight in October 2024, the connection speed peaked at 215 megabits per second.

Starlink uses a constellation of nearly 11,000 satellites to provide connectivity in remote places, including over oceans. Its low-earth orbit setup can support faster internet speeds, though the article notes that such satellites can also disrupt astronomy.

For most airlines, passengers may be notified during booking, in pre-flight communications, or through the airline app. That should be the first place to check because it comes directly through the carrier’s own travel flow.

Free online tools such as Starlink Flights can also help by tracking aircraft tail numbers using airline announcements, public records, flight-tracking data, and passenger reports. Travelers can use aviation tracking tools like FlightRadar24 to find a flight’s tail number and cross-check it, but aircraft swaps and data inaccuracies mean these tools should be treated as guides rather than guarantees.

Starlink is not the only satellite-internet option competing for airline contracts. Business Insider reported that JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines have signed up for Amazon Leo, which works similarly and has launched about 400 satellites.

Viasat has also been a common airline choice for more than a decade, using fewer high-capacity satellites in geostationary orbit about 22,000 miles above Earth. The article notes that these satellites have higher latency than Starlink.