airBaltic has conducted a certification test flight of SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet aboard an Airbus A220-300. The flight tested both the Starlink aero terminal and internet connection quality as airBaltic progresses towards obtaining the necessary certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
“This is a game-changer in the future of air travel, and the test flight brings us one step closer to revolutionising the travel experience for our passengers,” said Martin Gauss, President and CEO, airBaltic. “We are thrilled to lead the way in Europe and be the first airline in this region to offer for free Starlink’s reliable, high-speed internet. By integrating Starlink, we are set to elevate the travel experience for passengers across the airBaltic network throughout Europe and beyond. We are grateful to work with the Starlink team during this transformative journey. Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using low-Earth orbit that will provide airBaltic passengers the fastest inflight internet. With one of the youngest and the most modern fleets in the European skies, introducing Starlink onboard our Airbus A220-300s is the next logical step for airBaltic.
airBaltic is working with Starlink to secure the necessary Supplemental Type Certification, which is further to be approved by EASA. The airline expects to begin installing Starlink on its single-type fleet of Airbus A220-300s in Q1 2025.
With plans to equip its entire A220-300 fleet with Starlink, airBaltic aims to provide every passenger with seamless, high-speed internet access from boarding to landing, without the need for logins or complicated setups.
