easyJet has announced plans to equip approximately two-thirds of its Airbus fleet with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system starting early next year. The initiative will cover Airbus A320, A320neo, and A321neo aircraft but will exclude easyJet’s older A319 models. The airline expects to complete the installation across its roughly 300 aircraft by early 2028.

This move places easyJet among a growing number of airlines integrating Starlink's high-speed connectivity into their fleets. Wizz Air, another low-cost carrier operating in the UK, revealed similar plans earlier this year. Ryanair remains the only major European budget airline to have ruled out the technology, with CEO Michael O’Leary citing limited passenger willingness to pay for Wi-Fi on short-duration flights.

While easyJet and Wizz Air have confirmed their intentions, both carriers have yet to disclose pricing or access details for Starlink inflight internet, stating that such information will be provided closer to rollout. Installation costs are estimated to be around £377,000 per aircraft, according to industry observers. Given the financial model of budget airlines, the service is expected to be offered as a paid add-on, similar to practices by other low-cost operators like Cebu Pacific and Vueling, which have already announced fee-based Starlink access.

In contrast, many full-service airlines have offered Starlink connectivity free of charge or bundled with loyalty programs. British Airways has equipped 30 planes with the technology, predominantly its long-haul Airbus A350 fleet, while Virgin Atlantic plans to have Starlink on all aircraft by the end of 2025.

A global dashboard tracking the technology’s adoption reveals 51 airlines currently offer Starlink on some or all of their planes. North American carrier WestJet leads with 76% of its fleet equipped, followed by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) at 66%, and Qatar Airways at 61%. United Airlines has the greatest absolute number of Starlink-equipped aircraft, with 655 planes representing 42% of its total fleet.

Industry experts note that Starlink is rapidly shifting from a premium feature to a competitive airline necessity, with carriers aiming to meet rising passenger expectations for seamless connectivity. The technology enables high-speed internet access at cruising altitudes, allowing services such as video streaming and live video calls previously thought impractical in-flight.

However, the availability of such services has raised concerns over cabin etiquette. Several airlines, including United Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas, have banned inflight video calls due to potential disruption. British Airways has opted for a more advisory approach, encouraging use of headphones and low-volume calls. Virgin Atlantic has indicated it will consider disruptive behavior on a case-by-case basis, particularly during nighttime hours.

As Starlink becomes more widespread, the responsibility for managing in-flight etiquette may increasingly fall on cabin crew, adding to their existing duties. Nevertheless, high-speed internet at cruising altitude has been described as a transformative development in inflight connectivity, significantly enhancing passengers’ ability to stay connected while flying.

easyJet’s upcoming Starlink rollout signals a notable shift in the inflight experience for budget travelers, bridging the gap between cost-conscious service and modern connectivity demands.