Air New Zealand and Starlink redefine domestic travel connectivity

Friday, December 15, 2023

Air New Zealand is taking a significant step towards revolutionizing travel within Aotearoa by partnering with the groundbreaking satellite internet service provider, Starlink. The goal is to introduce complimentary in-flight internet access on domestic flights.

Starlink’s services will be installed on a domestic jet and, in a groundbreaking move, on an ATR aircraft by late 2024. Following a successful trial, Air New Zealand intends to expand the availability of Starlink internet to other aircraft in its domestic fleet by 2025.

Starlink boasts reliable high-speed internet with minimal latency during flights. With latency as low as 30 milliseconds, passengers will enjoy an unprecedented internet experience. This means they can seamlessly stream video content, work while in the air, and stay connected with friends and family via multiple devices, as if they were in the comfort of their own homes.

Nikhil Ravishankar, the Chief Digital Officer of Air New Zealand, emphasizes that this partnership underscores the airline’s dedication to enhancing the overall customer journey.

“We are continuously exploring how new and innovative technology can elevate the customer experience. Collaborating with Starlink, which boasts the world’s largest satellite constellation, to provide in-flight connectivity was an obvious choice for us.

Whether passengers are traveling for business or leisure, we recognize that maintaining uninterrupted internet access can be a transformative element of the travel experience. Our complimentary and accessible WiFi on international flights has been exceptionally well-received by customers, and we eagerly anticipate extending this connectivity to domestic flights.

However, for those travelers who relish some downtime in the air, rest assured that connecting to the internet is entirely optional, allowing you to unwind and detach from the world below.”

Jason Fritch, Vice President of Starlink at SpaceX, expresses pride in the collaboration with Air New Zealand to introduce Starlink’s high-speed internet to their aircraft and bring this game-changing in-flight connectivity experience to more passengers worldwide.

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