summary
- Hawaiian Airlines will be the first major airline to offer free in-flight WiFi powered by SpaceX’s Starlink internet service.
- This new service is unique in that it covers routes in isolated areas of the Pacific Ocean where satellite coverage is limited.
- Hawaiian Airlines plans to equip all of its long-haul fleet with Starlink technology, offering streaming and gaming capabilities, and aims to have the A321neo fully equipped by spring.
Hawaiian Airlines passengers now have access to in-flight WiFi thanks to SpaceX’s Starlink internet service on select flights. The new service, which debuted this morning on the airline’s A321neo service between Honolulu (HNL) and Long Beach (LGB), is the first of its kind.
Hawaiian Airlines said in a statement that it plans to offer the new service once some A321neo aircraft enter service. However, the first aircraft to offer this service today, registration type N228HA, was delivered to the company in 2019. Hawaiian Airlines has a total of 18 A321neos in its fleet, with the first delivery of this type in 2017.
Interview challenge
Satellite-provided WiFi is not unheard of in the airline industry, but Hawaiian’s service stands out because internet connectivity is difficult on Hawaiian Airlines routes. Most inflight WiFi service providers rely on multiple satellites in different orbits to provide coverage in high-traffic areas, and they interact with each other as they move through orbit to maintain coverage. Multiple satellites are required to reduce communications.
Photo: Hawaiian Airlines
The route between the U.S. mainland and the Hawaiian Islands covers isolated areas of the Pacific Ocean where, to date, satellite broadcasting has been largely unavailable. This new coverage is the result of deploying dozens of satellite internet constellations on Falcon 9 launches since 2019. SpaceX has provided Starlink satellite services that provide broadband Internet access to airlines, isolated areas without terrestrial Internet infrastructure, and NGOs operating in developing regions around the world. Year.
New technology installed on Hawaiian Airlines aircraft had to be certified. Starlink worked with Hawaiian Airlines and the FAA on ground and air tests to demonstrate the new technology. During this test period, Hawaiian Airlines operated a special charter flight between Honolulu and Hilo to test the service.
Fleet upgrade
Hawaiian Airlines is currently working with Starlink to deploy the technology across its long-haul fleet. The company plans to complete the fitout of its A321neo fleet by spring and bring the service to its A330 fleet by the end of the year. Hawaiian also said it plans to include internet service on its 787-9s in the future.
The in-flight Starlink WiFi is said to be able to handle both streaming and gaming. Hawaiian Airlines’ His WiFi service is unique among other airlines’ His WiFi services in that it is free and available without a registration page or payment portal. Alaska Airlines recently announced plans to merge with Hawaiian Airlines and will charge $8 for WiFi service. By the way, his WiFi service in Alaska is provided by inflight WiFi company Gogo and is available on most flights below the Arctic Circle.
Photo: Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines is the first major carrier to introduce the new Starlink service, while charter airline JSX equipped its Embraer regional jets with the service in late 2022. AirBaltic, Qatar Airways, Air New Zealand and ZipAir Tokyo have all signed deals. We will partner with Starlink to equip each of our passenger vehicles with new technology.
In-flight WiFi celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, and the technology has improved since then. JetBlue recently celebrated his 10th anniversary of providing Internet services with Viasat.
