- Iberia will integrate Starlink to offer free, high-speed WiFi in all cabins.
- Progressive deployment starting in 2026, within the IAG group and more than 500 aircraft.
- Speeds of up to 450 Mbps download and 70 Mbps upload with LEO satellites.
- Project aligned with the Flight Plan 2030 and the digitalization of the group.
The airline Iberia will incorporate connectivity free high speed on their planes thanks to satellite technology StarlinkThis will allow free onboard internet access in all cabins. The initiative is part of the group's drive to digitize its operations and positions the company as a leader in this area. among the first in Europe to offer this service universally.
The agreement has been finalized at the level of IAG and includes British Airways, Vueling, Aer Lingus and LEVEL, encompassing a combined fleet of more than 500 aircraftThe installation will start from 2026 and will be carried out progressively, with the aim of standardizing equipment and increasing the reliability of short and long-range connectivity.
What changes for passengers in Spain and Europe
With the arrival of Starlink, Customers will be able to make video calls, access uninterrupted streaming, work in the cloud, and play online games. with stability similar to that of a home connection. Coverage will be maintained even in traditionally problematic areas, such as the oceans and polar regions.
- Advertised speeds: up to 450 Mbps download and up to 70 Mbps upload.
- Low latency characteristic of LEO satellites, key for real-time applications.
- Free access for all passengers, in all cabins (Tourist, Premium Tourist and Business).
- global coverage throughout the entire journey, from boarding to landing.
El Access will be free and available to all customers of the group's airlines, although each brand will be able to define its own access portal and onboard experience. In the case of Iberia and British Airways, connectivity will be integrated into their transformation and service improvement plans.
Deployment schedule and fleet achieved
The group's first aircraft with Starlink is planned at the beginning of 2026with a phased implementation throughout the year. LEVEL plans to begin installation towards the end of 2026, while aircraft nearing retirement will continue with the current systems until his discharge.
The agreement covers more than 500 aircraft from IAG, both short-haul in Europe and long-haul transatlantic and global flights. Standardization in hardware and maintenance It will simplify operations and allow for a more agile response to incidents.
At Iberia, modernization is integrated into the Flight Plan 2030, which includes investments of around 6.000 millones de euros in digitalization, innovation and improvement of the customer experience, with connectivity as a key element of competitiveness.
Technology: Why Starlink is changing the rules
The essential difference compared to previous solutions lies in the constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO)Operating at an altitude of a few hundred kilometers compared to the 36.000 km of traditional GEO satellites, this proximity reduces the latency drastically, making the intensive use of real-time applications during flight viable.
In addition to latency, the system provides high speeds which, according to figures shared by the airlines and the provider, can reach up to 450 Mbps download and 70 Mbps upload, with an experience that approaches that of the fiber on land under favorable conditions.
The network relies on laser links between satellites and a mesh infrastructure with thousands of laserscapable of transporting massive volumes of data and maintaining service continuity over long distances, even across oceans and remote areas where previously [unclear] was produced coverage cuts.
Starlink claims to have provided connectivity high speed and low latency on tens of thousands of flights, along with specialized support and account management to guarantee the stability on board during all phases of the journey.
Operational and market impact
For IAG, relying on a single supplier allows standardize equipment at Iberia, Vueling, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL, reducing complexity and maintenance costs. At the same time, centralizing connectivity with a single partner entails considering the risks of dependency typical of any technological concentration strategy.
The rollout will involve gradually replacing previous solutions such as Viasat, Inmarsat/EAN or Intelsat 2Kuespecially where it is feasible and makes operational sense. With the new connectivity, the group improves the reliability, the actual speed available to passengers and the coverage on intercontinental routes.
This move positions IAG as a benchmark in Europe in terms of the number of aircraft with High speed WiFiraising the bar for onboard products and accelerating the transition of WiFi from a paid extra to a service included that the passenger already takes for granted, both on short and long-haul flights.
With the arrival of Starlink to the IAG fleet from 2026, Iberia and the rest of the group's airlines will take a leap forward in connectivity, reliability and coveragewith free internet for all passengers and technical standardization that promises to simplify operations without losing sight of the challenges of depending on a single provider.
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