Lufthansa launches first scheduled flight with Starlink

Lufthansa has for the first time put an aircraft with Starlink satellite internet into scheduled passenger service. The first flight with the new system took place on August 19 on the Frankfurt - Rome route.

Starlink was installed on an Airbus A320neo with registration D-AINM. The aircraft operated scheduled flight LH234 and became the first aircraft in the entire Lufthansa Group to be equipped with the new high-speed satellite internet system.

Lufthansa had previously reported on the preparation of the first aircraft. The system was installed during maintenance of the Airbus A320neo in Berlin.

According to aeroTELEGRAPH, Starlink was switched on at an altitude of about 10,000 meters during the Frankfurt - Rome flight. Passengers gained access to high-speed internet via the onboard Wi-Fi network.

By the end of 2026, Lufthansa plans to equip up to ten aircraft of the Airbus A320 family at Lufthansa and Lufthansa City Airlines with Starlink. Subsequently, the system will gradually be installed on aircraft of other carriers in the group.

In total, Lufthansa Group intends to equip about 850 aircraft with satellite internet by 2029. This applies to short-, medium-, and long-haul flights.

Starlink uses a network of satellites in low Earth orbit, which allows for faster internet and lower latency compared to traditional satellite systems. Lufthansa expects that passengers will be able to use the connection almost throughout the entire flight, including over oceans and remote regions.

Access to the new Wi-Fi will be free for registered Travel ID users and Miles & More program participants regardless of class of service.

Sources: Lufthansa, aeroTELEGRAPH