Frontier to add Starlink Wi-Fi on Airbus jets in early 2027
Frontier Airlines plans to launch its first in-flight internet service through SpaceX’s Starlink as budget carriers add more passenger amenities.
By Hana Yoshida · Markets Reporter
2 min read
Frontier Airlines plans to begin offering in-flight Wi-Fi in early 2027 using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite service, the company said Tuesday. The move would end Frontier’s status as one of the few large U.S. carriers without onboard internet and reflects a broader push by budget airlines to add services passengers now expect.
The first Frontier Airbus aircraft fitted with Starlink equipment is scheduled to enter service early next year, according to the airline. A Frontier spokeswoman declined to say whether passengers would have to pay for access.
CNBC reported that large airlines with Starlink agreements have generally made Wi-Fi free for loyalty program members. Frontier has not announced pricing or eligibility details for its planned service.
Frontier had previously weighed whether to add Wi-Fi because of the extra equipment required on its aircraft. CNBC reported in 2022 that the airline had held talks with Starlink about bringing internet service onto its planes, while former CEO Barry Biffle had said the carrier was concerned about adding weight.
Five discount carriers sign on
The Frontier rollout is part of a broader Starlink agreement involving five low-cost airlines with more than 1,000 aircraft combined, CNBC reported. The carriers are Frontier, Mexico’s Volaris, European airline Wizz, Chile’s Jetsmart and Cebu Pacific in the Philippines.
All five have Indigo Partners as an investor, according to CNBC. The private equity firm is led by Bill Franke, a longtime airline investor.
Starlink, a SpaceX business tied to Elon Musk’s company, has signed agreements with more than 40 airlines globally, CNBC reported. United Airlines and American Airlines are among the carriers that have reached deals with the satellite internet provider.
The airlines did not disclose financial terms of the latest agreements, according to CNBC. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Budget airlines add more amenities
The Wi-Fi plan comes as discount carriers face pressure from larger rivals that have been generating revenue from premium cabins and added passenger services. CNBC reported that the shift has challenged the old low-cost model built around stripped-down seating and fewer amenities.
Frontier has already signaled a move toward higher-end offerings. The airline plans to introduce first-class seats next year, CNBC reported.
For Starlink, the Frontier deal expands its reach in commercial aviation as airlines compete over the quality of onboard connectivity. Passenger demand for faster and more reliable internet in the air has pushed carriers to replace or upgrade older Wi-Fi systems, according to CNBC.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.