VC Jason Calacanis says having Starlink WiFi is more important than price, time, or route when he flies
Over 40 airlines have announced deals with Starlink and are racing to install the high-speed WiFi service that is becoming a must-have perk.
Jason Calacanis, a prominent investor and co-host of the All-In podcast, recently revealed that Starlink WiFi has become a crucial factor when choosing commercial flights. In an X post, Calacanis stated that he prioritizes flights offering Starlink over considerations such as total travel time, route, or price. The Texas-based entrepreneur has even gone so far as to drive to Houston to fly with Zipair, a Japanese airline that has installed Starlink on all eight of its aircraft.
Furthermore, Calacanis has called on United Airlines to expedite the installation of Starlink on long-haul flights, which the carrier plans to complete on its wide-body fleet by next summer.
Starlink's importance extends beyond Calacanis, as evidenced by an anecdote from SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell. She revealed that she had heard from an airline customer that some travelers were opting for shorter, less direct flights solely to ensure they could access Starlink during their journey. These trends have caught the attention of multiple airlines, as over 40 carriers have now partnered with Starlink for in-flight connectivity.
Notable examples include Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, and the service is available at no cost to customers, typically requiring them to join the airline's loyalty program.
Starlink's satellite-based internet service harnesses a network of nearly 11,000 low Earth orbit satellites to provide faster speeds and a more reliable connection than traditional in-flight WiFi, which typically relies on fewer satellites orbiting much higher above Earth. This enhanced connectivity is particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs and other professionals who work extensively while traveling, as it eliminates the need to disconnect during flights, effectively making the once-guarded period of online isolation obsolete.
Business Insider recently conducted tests on Qatar Airways' first flight with Starlink, finding that the connection peaked at 215 megabits per second – far superior to many home internet services.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
