Starlink is set to deliver in-flight wireless internet on Hawaiian Airlines’ transpacific fleet, the carrier announced Monday.
According to Hawaiian, the companies are in the early stages of implementation, with Elon Musk’s wireless internet slated to be available on select planes in 2023.
The airline, which carries passengers to and from various Hawaiian islands as well as popular destinations in the United States, Asia and the South Pacific, is America’s 10th largest commercial airline.
This free internet will be available on the airline’s Airbus A330s and A321s, as well as on the new Boeing 787-9s, but not on inter-island flights, according to the airline.
“We will have the best connectivity experience available in the air,” said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO, in the airline’s announcement. “Our guests can look forward to fast, seamless and free Wi-Fi,” with the ability to stream video content.
Meanwhile, Starlink’s Commercial Sales President Jonathan Hofeller said in a statement, “With Starlink, the inflight experience is greatly simplified so that once passengers step on board the plane the internet works seamlessly throughout their flight” with “the world’s best inflight internet connectivity.”
As it strives to expand its reach beyond consumers and homes in remote areas of the world with little or no internet connectivity, Starlink has been in talks with other airlines to offer its in-flight internet service.
In fact, this is not exactly the first time Starlink has partnered with an airline. JSX, a semi-private jet service, will also begin offering the service on 100 planes.
For its part, Delta Air Lines has held negotiations with Starlink and done exploratory tests of its technology, according to the Wall Street Journal.
It’s unclear how the trials were carried out or when Starlink will be available on Delta passenger planes.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Delta CEO Ed Bastian has declined to disclose more particular details about the tests.
The company has pushed for increased access to low-cost, high-quality Wi-Fi on airplanes.Thus, it’s possible that Delta will be the next one.