airBaltic Completes First Starlink Test Flight
Category:NewsAirBaltic has completed a successful flight test of SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet system on its Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
AirBaltic has completed a test flight of SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet system on its Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
The certification flight, departing from the airline’s hub in Riga, Latvia, evaluated both the Starlink aero terminal and internet connection performance.
This critical test represents a major step toward obtaining European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification.
A First in Europe
“We’re revolutionizing air travel with this breakthrough,” says Martin Gauss, AirBaltic’s President and CEO.
“As Europe’s first airline to offer complimentary Starlink internet, we’re proud to enhance our passengers’ travel experience.”
“This high-speed connection will benefit travelers across our entire network and beyond, setting a new standard for in-flight connectivity in the European aviation sector.”
Gauss emphasized the significance of collaborating with Starlink. “Working with SpaceX’s Starlink team has been remarkable. Their satellite constellation, operating in low-Earth orbit, will provide our passengers with the fastest in-flight internet available.”
“Adding Starlink to our modern Airbus A220-300 fleet aligns perfectly with our innovative approach to passenger comfort and technological advancement.”
Starlink STC and EASA Approval
The airline is currently pursuing a Supplemental Type Certification (STC) with Starlink, pending EASA approval. Installation of the cutting edge system on AirBaltic’s Airbus A220-300 fleet is scheduled to begin in early 2025, marking a significant upgrade to the airline’s service offerings.
Once the implementation is complete, the airline’s entire A220-300 fleet will feature Starlink connectivity. It will offer passengers high speed internet access throughout their journey without complicated login procedures or additional fees.
This enhancement supports AirBaltic’s commitment to providing superior passenger experience and maintaining its position as a technology leader in European aviation.
Starlink’s Global Impact
Starlink has established itself as a global connectivity pioneer, serving users across 118 countries and all seven continents. The service now connects over 4.6 million users worldwide, demonstrating its rapidly growing influence in the telecommunications sector.
Since launching its commercial aviation service last year, Starlink has demonstrated superior performance through its low Earth orbit satellites, positioned significantly closer to Earth than traditional satellite systems.
The advanced system delivers impressive speeds up to 500 Mbps with minimal latency, transforming the in flight experience.
This exceptional performance enables passengers to enjoy activities previously impossible during flights, including online gaming, VPN usage, and other data-intensive applications. It effectively brings home like internet connectivity to the skies.
About Starlink
Starlink provides revolutionary high speed internet access worldwide through its pioneering low Earth orbit satellite constellation. The service supports streaming, gaming, video calls, and various online activities that demand consistent, high speed connectivity.
As a SpaceX creation, Starlink benefits from the company’s extensive spacecraft and orbital operations expertise, making it the world’s most sophisticated broadband internet system.
This technological achievement represents a significant leap forward in global connectivity solutions, particularly for aviation and remote locations.
