WestJet‘s first Starlink-equipped planes are now in service. The carrier quietly activated the system on more than a dozen 737-800s following certification from Transport Canada approximately 10 days ago.
The STC was initially approved by the FAA at the end of January. The companies initially expected activation in late 2024. Only being three months late is arguably on time for development of a new STC.
One spotter snapped a shot of C-FWIJ on approach to Vancouver last week. The aircraft shows the Starlink terminals atop the fuselage.
As with other larger aircraft installations it includes two antennae for increased capacity and redundancy. Unlike the first 737-800 to fly with Starlink, however, these two are directly adjacent to each other. On the SpaceX corporate 737 the terminals are positioned at the front and rear of the fuselage.
Similarly spaced layouts are also in use on the A321neo, A330, or 777 installations.
Reasoning for the shifted layout is unclear, but the now deinstalled Panasonic Avionics installation was at the rear. It is possible that played in to the decision, either to speed the transition (both efforts occurring at the same time) or because they didn’t want to install over the old location.
Reports suggest some 20 aircraft already installed, most performed prior to the certification. With that now in hand the systems are being activated.
WestJet first announced its plans to install Starlink service in July 2024. The carrier further hinted at a March activation late last month in a release about updates to its loyalty program. Notably, the carrier did not mention Starlink in that release, referring only to “fast and free Wi-Fi, presented by TELUS…” Air France similarly chose to not mention the provider in its La Premiere refresh update last week.
While the current political situation between the US and Canada has caused some other announced Starlink deals north of the border to be paused or cancelled, this one is moving forward. Which might also be a political decision.
WestJet and the Government of Alberta have a long-term partnership that, among other things, supports the airline’s growth efforts as part of it refocusing to have Calgary as its only hub. And the current head of Alberta’s government is one of a few senior Canadian officials that seems keen to engage with the transborder entreaties rather than outright rebuff them.
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