Virgin Atlantic accelerates Starlink rollout for take-off

• A350 aircraft leads the rollout, with A350 completion by early summer
• Boeing 787 aircraft set to join Starlink rollout in second half of 2026, with fleet connectivity expected to reach two- thirds by end of 2026
• Airbus A330neo installations are anticipated to complete in 2027

Virgin Atlantic has announced an accelerated rollout of Starlink, the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky, as the airline gears up to introduce free, high-speed WiFi across its entire fleet, helping customers bring their world onboard from take-off to landing.

Virgin Atlantic will begin introducing Starlink connectivity onboard its Airbus A350 fleet from May 2026, with all A350s to be connected by early summer. The first customer flight took place in early May on the VS153 from London Heathrow to New York, JFK. The programme will now extend across the Boeing 787 and Airbus A330neo fleets as installation progresses, with connectivity expected to reach full fleet coverage anticipated in 2027.

First announced in July 2025, Virgin Atlantic became the first UK airline to commit to free, fleet-wide Starlink Wi-Fi connectivity. By leveraging the world’s most advanced satellite constellation in low Earth orbit, Starlink offers high-speed, low-latency internet access around the world, including the most isolated areas. This makes for a reliable, fast, and secure user experience. Starlink, the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky will be offered entirely free of charge for Flying Club members, creating a digitally connected cabin, across its modern fleet.

The new service aims to create a ‘home away from home’ Wi-Fi experience in the sky, allowing customers to connect seamlessly, from the moment they board the aircraft, enjoying the same quality in the air as they do on the ground.  During the flight, Starlink will enable customers to enjoy elevated entertainment, including downloading and streaming their favourite TV shows, gaming with friends on the ground, browsing internet shopping, catching up on work, watching live sports games, connecting with friends and family and even making brief audio calls, while keeping the cabin comfortable and relaxed for everyone. Customers will be able to utilise multiple devices simultaneously including smartphones, laptops and tablets, keeping messages moving, plans in play and everything, and everyone, that matters close.

Juha Jaervinen, Chief Customer Officer, Virgin Atlantic, commented: “We were the first UK airline to announce free, fleet-wide Starlink Wi-Fi, and from May, we’re starting to deliver it for our customers. As the rollout gathers pace, we plan to deliver 100% Starlink connectivity across our fleet in 2027, as part of our focus on creating a brilliantly connected experience.

“Together with Starlink, we’re setting a new standard for connectivity in the skies, with fast, free, high-speed WiFi available from the moment customers step onboard. It’s all part of creating a truly connected, ‘home away from home’ experience, giving customers the freedom to use their time onboard exactly as they choose, whether that’s staying close to work, to plans, or to the people who matter most.”