Fast, Free Wi-Fi Coming Soon to All British Airways Flights

Passengers on British Airways’ flights between Pittsburgh and London Heathrow will soon be able to access the Internet from 30,000 feet faster than ever before – and at no additional cost.

British Airways recently announced it has begun offering fast, free Wi-Fi powered by Starlink, becoming the U.K.’s first carrier to do so. The first British Airways flight with Starlink took place on March 19 between London and Houston on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Starlink is a low-Earth-orbit satellite-based internet service operated by SpaceX that aims to deliver faster, more reliable connectivity. According to British Airways, Starlink provides download speeds of up to 500 megabits per second that allows its customers to work, browse, shop and connect in-flight on multiple devices.

The 787-8 is the first type in British Airways’ fleet to receive Starlink Wi-Fi and is the type primarily operating the Pittsburgh-London route since its launch in 2019. The 787 Dreamliner is one of the newest, most fuel-efficient aircraft in British Airways’ fleet and already offers a modern onboard experience with a quieter cabin, mood lighting, larger dimmable windows and in-flight entertainment in each seat throughout all cabins.

According to Starlink, it takes approximately 2-4 days to install Wi-Fi depending on aircraft type. Starlink’s Wi-Fi hardware is designed for a quicker installation process versus older systems, saving airlines in time and maintenance costs.

In a release, British Airways said it plans to retrofit its entire fleet of more than 300 aircraft with Starlink Wi-Fi within the next two years.

“We’re excited to be the first U.K. airline to bring this level of connectivity to our customers,” British Airways CEO Sean Doyle said in a statement. “We know that staying connected matters to people, whether they’re travelling for work or heading off on holiday, and Starlink will give our customers fast, reliable Wi-Fi that transforms the onboard experience.”

Starlink is part of British Airways’ 7-billion-pound ($9.3 billion) transformation plan Doyle outlined at the World Innovation Summit PIT hosted in 2025 which calls for numerous investments in technology and customer experience at the airline, including the use of AI to improve operational punctuality at London Heathrow.

British Airways also joins a rapidly growing list of carriers adopting faster Wi-Fi products to compete for customers.

Aer Lingus, which is also owned by British Airways’ parent company International Airlines Group (IAG), will introduce Starlink Wi-Fi on all its flights starting in 2026, eventually expanding to its new Pittsburgh-Dublin route that begins May 25.

United Airlines, which launched nonstop service between Pittsburgh and Los Angeles on March 29, has retrofitted most of its regional jet fleet with Starlink and has begun installations on its mainline fleet. Southwest Airlines, PIT’s largest carrier, recently announced it will begin offering free Starlink Wi-Fi on flights beginning this summer. In addition, Alaska Airlines plans to begin retrofitting its fleet with Starlink Wi-Fi starting later this year.