Lufthansa Group has announced plans to equip its entire fleet with high-speed broadband internet in partnership with Starlink, marking one of the most ambitious connectivity upgrades ever undertaken by a European airline group.
From the second half of 2026 onwards, around 850 aircraft across all Lufthansa Group airlines will gradually be fitted with the new satellite-based technology. The system promises internet access in the air comparable to that on the ground, enabling streaming, cloud-based work, and other data-intensive applications throughout the flight.
The rollout will apply both to the existing fleet and to all new aircraft deliveries. By 2029, the entire Lufthansa Group fleet is expected to be equipped with the new connectivity offering.
NEWS: Lufthansa will install Starlink on its entire fleet of 850 aircraft ✈️
— Muskonomy (@muskonomy) January 13, 2026
Free internet for status customers and Travel ID users across all classes.
Installations start in H2 2026, with the full fleet upgraded by 2029. pic.twitter.com/yKGxVExS6i
Free connectivity across all travel classes
The new high-speed Wi-Fi service will be offered free of charge to Lufthansa Group status customers and Travel ID users, regardless of travel class. Economy, premium economy, business, and first class passengers will all benefit from the same connectivity standard.
According to the group, the Starlink solution currently offers the fastest in-flight internet available in the aviation market, thanks to its Low Earth Orbit satellite network. This makes Lufthansa Group the largest airline group in Europe to adopt next-generation broadband connectivity at this scale.
“In our anniversary year, in which we are celebrating Lufthansa’s 100th birthday, we have decided to introduce a new high-speed internet solution from Starlink for all our airlines,” said Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa Group. “Connectivity on board plays an important role today, and with Starlink, we are investing in both the best product on the market and the satisfaction of our passengers.”
Starlink's high-speed internet will soon be available across @lufthansa Group's fleet→https://t.co/2P4CixZMRt pic.twitter.com/9TnWpTS4yH
— Starlink (@Starlink) January 13, 2026
All Lufthansa Group airlines are included
The Starlink rollout will cover the full portfolio of Lufthansa Group airlines. This includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Discover Airlines, and Air Dolomiti.
Together, these carriers represent the largest European airline fleet to be equipped with high-performance satellite internet, setting a new benchmark for onboard digital services across the continent.
In-flight connectivity becomes the new standard
The Lufthansa Group announcement comes amid a broader industry shift. As Travel Tomorrow has reported throughout 2025 and 2026, an increasing number of global airlines have accelerated the rollout of onboard internet, transforming connectivity from a paid extra into an expected part of the travel experience.
Passengers now increasingly expect to work, stream, message, or browse seamlessly during flights, particularly on medium and long-haul routes. Satellite-based solutions have become central to this transition, offering wider coverage and greater reliability than traditional air-to-ground systems.
