Hawaiian Airlines announces free Wi-Fi courtesy Elon Musk's Starlink
Hawaiian Airlines just announced it will be the first major airline to provide Starlink high-speed satellite broadband Wi-Fi internet to passengers. The service will be free to all customers flying on select transpacific flights beginning next year, with the installation implemented gradually.
Hawaiian said the service will be offered on its Airbus A330 and A321 planes and its incoming, new Boeing 787-9s, but is not currently planned for its Boeing 717s used for inter-island flights.
"We will have the best connectivity experience available in the air," said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO, in the airline's announcement. "Our guests can look forward to fast, seamless and free Wi-Fi," with the ability to stream video content.
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Starlink's Commercial Sales President Jonathan Hofeller said in a statement, "With Starlink, the inflight experience is greatly simplified so that once passengers step on board the plane the internet works seamlessly throughout their flight" with "the world's best inflight internet connectivity."
Passengers will be able to use the Starlink service without needing to register or provide payment information.
According to Starlink's website, users of the service will be able to have download speeds of between 100 Mbps to 200 Mbps, with very low latency (20ms). That means you'll be able to stream glitch-free movies, play online games with friends, and even hold full Zoom meetings on your Hawaiian flights. Starlink is able to provide this connectivity even over the middle of the Pacific Ocean by using the SpaceX network of low-orbit satellites.
In terms of installation timing for the aircraft, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the "schedule driver there is regulatory approval."
Hawaiian Airlines' offer of free Wi-Fi is part of a larger trend of airlines offering discounted and free inflight Wi-Fi. JetBlue currently offers free Wi-Fi fleetwide, Delta provides Wi-Fi at $5 per flight (with promises for future free service), while Alaska, Southwest and United all offer Wi-Fi access for $8 on domestic flights. None of these airlines currently have any broadband access products announced, although The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Delta has "conducted exploratory tests" of Starlink's technology. Charter jet airline JSX has also announced a Wi-Fi deal with Starlink, with service targeted to begin late this year.
It will still be some time before passengers will be able to use high-speed broadband Wi-Fi aboard Hawaiian or any other flights. However, expect this new standard for speed and affordability to become widespread in the airline industry.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees