Lufthansa Group has chosen Starlink for around 850 aircraft across its airlines, with the first connected flights expected in the second half of 2026.
The January 13 announcement covers both the existing fleet and new aircraft. The group expects to complete the upgrade by 2029.
Internet access will be free for status customers and Travel ID users in every cabin. That makes the login requirement more relevant to passengers than whether they're sitting in economy or business class.
SWISS separately confirmed its participation, while noting that its aircraft-by-aircraft schedule was still being worked out.
So this is a fleet agreement, with a rollout to follow. Booking a Lufthansa Group flight for this year doesn't by itself mean there will be Starlink on board.
For SpaceX, airlines offer another way to sell connectivity beyond the Residential service. One aircraft can bring a large group of potential users onto the network during a single flight.
The equipment and operating requirements are different, though. Our Starlink Aviation guide explains the basic distinction between an aircraft installation and the dish a household puts on its roof.
From a passenger's perspective, the useful promise is straightforward: a connection capable of handling more than a few messages. Lufthansa points to streaming and cloud-based work among the intended uses.
That still leaves a practical issue during the transition. Two flights sold by the same airline could offer different internet experiences until the installations are complete.
The group hasn't published the detailed schedule in this announcement. For now, the first equipped aircraft will matter more to travelers than the eventual fleet total.
