British Airways rolls out a huge update on its planes affecting all passengers

This major announcement forms part of the airline's £7billion transformation programme, which has already delivered significant improvements across the customer experience since its launch in 2024.

The cutting-edge service will allow holidaymakers to stream videos, work remotely and stay connected across multiple devices without requiring any special login procedures.

Starlink has an advanced satellite network, which operates much closer to Earth than traditional systems. This means passengers can expect faster, more reliable connections even when flying over oceans or remote areas.

Founder of StayFi, Arthur Colker, commented on the update. He told GB News: "Travellers had no option but to use very slow overhead networks with low bandwidth, which rendered even the most basic browsing impossible.

"Starlink’s low-orbit satellite network will now allow the whole world to enjoy the internet without the limitation of where they are from, as it virtually eliminates the latency found in the traditional geostationary systems, thus providing the highest throughput.

"For that reason, video streaming, video calling, or using cloud services won’t just be possible anytime during the flight, but also on a scale never experienced before in commercial aviation."

The technology promises to deliver the kind of seamless connectivity people enjoy at home, but at 38,000ft. It's a complete departure from the patchy, expensive Wi-Fi services that have frustrated travellers for years.

British Airways' chairman and chief executive, Sean Doyle, said: "We're continuing to focus on transforming our customer experience.

"Launching Starlink on both our long-haul and short-haul aircraft is game-changing for us and our customers, elevating their experience on board our flights by offering them seamless connectivity from gate to gate. Especially on short-haul, this will really differentiate us from our competitors.

"With our new Wi-Fi powered by Starlink, our customers will be able to enjoy lightning-fast, low-lag internet from the moment they board to the moment they land - even over oceans and remote regions. It's Wi-Fi that feels like home, even at 38,000 feet."

Colker added: "Travellers are often in charge of quite a lot of things at the same time, such as making a number of reservations, obtaining tour tickets, and changing itineraries, and a fast internet connection without interruptions will allow them to manage everything in real time.

"The more than 500 planes that BA is deploying this technology on, which also includes such carriers as Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Vueling, imply that it will not be a technology used by only a few passengers. It is set to raise the in-flight connectivity standard in Europe and even further."

Since 2023, British Airways has taken delivery of 36 new aircraft, including 17 modern A320neo planes featuring cabins designed and crafted in the UK. The carrier has also unveiled an exciting new lounge concept in Miami and Dubai, whilst renovating 15 existing lounges across its network.

Perhaps most impressively, the airline has achieved its best punctuality performance since 2012, thanks to innovative AI and machine learning technology that enables data-driven operational decisions and predictive maintenance.

Looking ahead, passengers can anticipate a new First suite with the airline's widest seat and bed, plus a completely redesigned app launching in 2026.

In more British Airways news, the airline shared plans for more routes from the UK to a vibrant Indian city with a rich history.