EasyJet joins the ranks of budget airlines installing Starlink — and puts pressure on its rival Ryanair
EasyJet's Starlink announcement means two of Europe's three biggest budget airlines have signed up, putting pressure on the top dog, Ryanair.
EasyJet has signed a deal with Starlink, joining two other major budget airlines in Europe that have committed to the Elon Musk-owned service. The British carrier plans to deploy the high-speed WiFi on its fleet of 300 airplanes by early 2028. Currently, only Ryanair, Europe's largest budget airline, lacks Starlink service. Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, has previously expressed reservations about the cost to passengers and fuel efficiency of the Starlink terminals.
The situation mirrors the competitive landscape in the US, where major carriers like United, American, and Delta have opted for different satellite internet providers, while others like Southwest have chosen not to install any at all. Despite the potential benefits, budget airlines like Ryanair may eventually follow suit as Starlink technology becomes more widely adopted and affordable for passengers.
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