Someone blinked in the battle over what inflight connectivity “should” be for the ultra low cost carrier segment. Wizz Air will install the Starlink solution on its fleet from 2027, bringing high-speed service to its (mostly) short hops around Europe.
Our customers shouldn’t have to choose between affordable fares and reliable internet onboard to stay connected to the people, work, and moments that matter most. We’re proud to lead that change by collaborating with Starlink to bring maximum benefit to Wizz Air!
And so someone blinked. Presumably it is Wizz Air, choosing to install a high speed solution on its fleet and eating the cost; a very un-ULCC thing to do. It also means more costs for the carrier, in a segment of the market where demand often is decided by fares, not service levels. Without a strong advertising or loyalty program to lean on, recoupling those costs will be challenging.
There’s also a very slim chance Starlink is singing a different tune now, allowing airlines to charge for the service. It has not permitted that with any other airline and this seems unlikely. A query to Wizz to confirm the pricing approach remains pending at publication time.
A favor to ask while you're here...
Did you enjoy the content? Or learn something useful? Or generally just think this is the type of story you'd like to see more of? Consider supporting the site through a donation (any amount helps). It helps keep me independent and avoiding the credit card schlock.
Seth Miller has over a decade of experience covering the airline industry. With a strong focus on passenger experience, Seth also has deep knowledge of inflight connectivity and loyalty programs. He is widely respected as an unbiased commentator on the aviation industry.
He is frequently consulted on innovations in passenger experience by airlines and technology providers.
Leave a Reply