EasyJet Inks Starlink Deal, Piling Pressure on Sceptic Ryanair in Budget Carrier Wi-Fi Race

Elon Musk's satellite internet network, Starlink, has inked a major deal with British budget carrier EasyJet to equip its entire fleet with high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi, starting early 2027. This move intensifies the digital race among Europe's low-cost airlines. The agreement involves deploying Starlink's low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service across EasyJet's 300-strong Airbus fleet, a significant commitment for the SpaceX subsidiary.

EasyJet joins Hungarian competitor Wizz Air in committing to Starlink, leaving Dublin-based Ryanair, Europe's largest airline, as the only major budget carrier without onboard Wi-Fi. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has historically dismissed onboard Wi-Fi due to concerns over weight, drag, high equipment costs, and slow connection speeds.

However, Starlink's technology addresses these issues by delivering lower latency, higher bandwidth, less aerodynamic drag, and faster connection speeds. As both EasyJet and Wizz Air move toward full-fleet connectivity, Ryanair faces increasing pressure to catch up.