Key facts
- Airlines are investing in high-speed in-flight WiFi as a key amenity.
- Skytrax's World Airline Awards introduced a new category for the best onboard WiFi.
- Passenger surveys from over 100 nationalities determined the WiFi rankings.
- Seven of the top 10 airlines for in-flight WiFi partner with Starlink.
- Starlink provides streaming-quality WiFi via its network of over 11,000 satellites.
- Emirates plans to equip its fleet with Starlink by mid-2027.
Airlines are increasingly focusing on high-speed in-flight WiFi as a crucial amenity for passengers, leading to the introduction of a new 'World's Best Onboard WiFi' category by Skytrax in its World Airline Awards. The rankings, determined by passenger surveys conducted between September 2025 and August 2026 across more than 100 nationalities, highlight the growing dominance of Elon Musk's Starlink internet service.
Starlink has partnered with seven of the top 10 airlines recognized for their onboard connectivity, demonstrating its significant market penetration. The company provides streaming-quality WiFi through its network of over 11,000 satellites. Over 40 carriers globally have already established partnerships with Starlink.
Among the top-ranked airlines, Emirates was one of the first to offer Starlink WiFi on its A380 aircraft and plans to expand its fleet's coverage by mid-2027. Virgin Atlantic, the first UK airline to partner with Starlink, commenced offering flights with streaming-quality WiFi in May. Singapore Airlines is set to begin rolling out Starlink WiFi on its Airbus A350 and A380 planes in 2027. Hawaiian Airlines was the first major US carrier to offer Starlink in February 2024.