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MagyarFirst free in-flight Starlink satellite Internet service from a major carrier takes off
Ever since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted provisional approval to SpaceX for providing Starlink satellite Internet capability on moving vehicles, the uptake has been relentless. The ability to have Internet on trains, RVs, boats, planes, or cruise ships has enticed many companies to sign up for the most expensive Starlink tiers.
Free in-flight Starlink
The latest example comes courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines that not only announced the provision of in-flight Wi-Fi for its customers via Starlink's satellite Internet service, but are also giving it away for free, says the airline:
Hawaiian today became the world’s first major carrier to deploy Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency broadband internet after it debuted the service onboard one of its Airbus A321neo, N228HA, which flew from Honolulu to Long Beach. The carrier’s Wi-Fi, which is rolling out on select A321neo aircraft as they are activated over the coming months, is complimentary and available the moment guests step onboard the aircraft – without tedious registration pages and clunky payment portals.
The free Starlink Internet move by Hawaiian is even more impressive considering that the Starlink for Aviation business tier hardre costs alone are pegged at $150,000. Starlink subscription prices for airlines run at $25,000 a month, too.
According to Will Seidel, director of Starlink engineering at SpaceX, "the terminal will seamlessly switch connections from satellite to satellite as planes cross the Pacific, providing an uninterrupted internet experience for passengers."
After running video streaming and gaming tests during long-haul flights, Starlink passed with flying colors and Hawaiian says that it will have the satellite Internet antennas active on its A321neo fleet by March, and then follow with its A330s by year's end. The flagship Boeing 787-9 is also set to receive free in-flight Starlink Internet at a later date.
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