British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL Commit to Free, High Speed Starlink Wi-Fi

Several airlines under the International Airlines Group (IAG) umbrella have announced full-fleet satellite internet rollouts that will change the game for connectivity in the air. With British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, and LEVEL planning to provide complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi to passengers, the era of “I lost my connection over the Atlantic” could be behind us.

As always, the devil is in the details. Let’s unpack what we know, when it’ll happen, and what you as a customer should keep in mind.

3 IAG Airlines to Offer Starlink Wi-Fi

British Airways

British Airways announced on November 6 that it has signed a major agreement with Starlink to provide every passenger, in every cabin, free access to high-speed Wi-Fi. The rollout will begin in 2026 and form part of the airline’s ongoing multibillion-dollar transformation program. According to British Airways, the new system will deliver fast, consistent service from gate to gate, eliminating the drop-outs and bandwidth limitations that have affected traditional in-flight Wi-Fi systems.

While specific details on aircraft types have not yet been released, the airline’s statement indicates that both long-haul and short-haul fleets will eventually be equipped. This represents a significant upgrade for passengers, as British Airways’ existing Wi-Fi service — provided through different satellite partners — currently requires payment and often varies in speed depending on the route and aircraft.

British Airways says the new Starlink system will allow passengers to stream content, make video calls, and browse the web much as they would at home. Because Starlink relies on a constellation of low-Earth-orbit satellites, rather than traditional geostationary ones, it can deliver faster speeds and lower latency, even over remote regions and ocean crossings. Once installation begins, the airline expects to gradually introduce the service across its network over a multi-year period.

Iberia

Iberia released a similar announcement today, confirming that it will also adopt Starlink’s satellite internet across its fleet beginning in 2026. The Spanish flag carrier said that Wi-Fi will be offered for free to all passengers, including those in economy class. Iberia highlighted expected download speeds up to 450 Mbps and upload speeds up to 70 Mbps, which — if that comes true — would be a major improvement over current in-flight internet performance.

Like British Airways, Iberia did not specify which aircraft or routes will be the first to receive the system. However, the airline confirmed that both its short-haul and long-haul fleets will be included in the rollout. Iberia also emphasized that Starlink’s global coverage will enable passengers to remain connected on long flights over oceans and polar regions, areas where in-flight Wi-Fi has traditionally been unreliable or unavailable.

The inclusion of free connectivity across all cabins aligns with Iberia’s broader push to improve the passenger experience through digital innovation. The airline has previously upgraded its website, mobile app, and airport services as part of its modernization efforts under IAG.

LEVEL

LEVEL, IAG’s long-haul, low-cost carrier based in Barcelona, announced that it will also integrate Starlink technology, with installation scheduled to begin in late 2026. According to the airline, passengers can expect download speeds between 150 and 450 Mbps and upload speeds up to 70 Mbps, with latency as low as 20 milliseconds. Those figures are comparable to home broadband connections and would allow for streaming, video calls, and cloud-based work without interruption. It remains to be seen whether government regulators will change the rules on making calls using inflight connections.

LEVEL’s adoption of Starlink is particularly noteworthy because few low-cost airlines currently offer free high-speed Wi-Fi. By including the service at no additional charge, LEVEL will differentiate itself within the European low-cost long-haul market, where connectivity options are often limited or priced separately.

As with the other IAG carriers, the rollout will be gradual. LEVEL operates a smaller fleet than British Airways or Iberia, which may make it easier to complete the installation process once hardware and certification are finalized. The airline has not yet confirmed which aircraft will be first to receive the equipment.

What About the Other 2 Airlines?

Vueling and Aer Lingus haven’t provided their own press releases. However, IAG’s announcement says these airlines will also get Starlink Wi-Fi. Without a detailed announcement from these carriers, all we know is that it will come at some point in 2026. We’ll have to wait for further details.

Final Thoughts

These announcements mark a coordinated effort within IAG to bring consistent, high-speed connectivity to passengers. British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL have all committed to offering free Starlink Wi-Fi beginning in 2026, with installation progressing across their fleets over time. Passengers should keep in mind that widespread availability will not happen immediately, as aircraft retrofits and regulatory approvals can take several years. Even when an airline starts offering Starlink, your particular plane may not have it.

Travelers flying with IAG carriers can look forward to a future where staying connected in the air will no longer depend on costly access fees or inconsistent performance. While the rollout will take time, the shift to Starlink represents a clear move toward making reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi a standard feature, rather than a luxury.