Hawaiian Airlines has announced the launch of complimentary inflight Wi-Fi, powered by SpaceX’s Starlink, marking a significant milestone as the first major U.S. carrier to offer this satellite-based internet service. The move represents a leap forward in enhancing passenger connectivity on board Hawaiian’s flights.
CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, Peter Ingram, praised SpaceX for their technological breakthroughs that now enable high-quality, wide bandwidth connectivity with global reach for airborne passengers. This development is part of a broader trend among airlines to upgrade their inflight internet offerings, with Hawaiian Airlines positioning itself at the forefront by providing this service at no additional cost.
The airline, known for its expansive network across the Pacific, connecting Hawaii with the U.S. mainland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and other destinations, aims to redefine the inflight experience. According to Chad Gibbs, SpaceX’s Vice President of Starlink Business Operations, the quality of internet connectivity passengers can now enjoy rivals that of ground-based services, offering an unparalleled inflight experience.
In April 2022, Hawaiian Airlines partnered with SpaceX with the ambition of leveraging the Starlink network, which features over 5,000 satellites orbiting the earth. Prior to this partnership, Hawaiian Airlines did not provide inflight Wi-Fi, making this initiative a groundbreaking step for the airline.
The installation of aviation-specific Starlink terminals is underway, with six Airbus A321 aircraft already equipped and plans to extend the service to a total of 42 aircraft within Hawaiian’s fleet by the end of the year.
This strategic move by Hawaiian Airlines, underscored by a recent acquisition agreement with Alaska Airlines, not only enhances its service offering but also sets a new standard for inflight connectivity, promising a transformative travel experience for its passengers.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, Hawaiian Airlines, cnbc.com
