British Airways to provide free high-speed onboard connectivity through space-based agreement
Flyers aboard British Airways can soon access quick internet during flights free of charge due to a major partnership from Elon Musk's space company.
Complimentary and Fast Wifi Across the Board
British Airways announced that this complimentary, “reliable and lightning-fast” internet service via the satellite provider will be offered to passengers in economy, premium economy, and first class starting next month.
Widespread Deployment Over Multiple Carriers
The holding organization for the airline, International Airlines Group, announced it had secured an partnership with the satellite firm to provide wifi coverage for 500-plus planes within their carriers, which also include the Irish airline, the Spanish carrier, plus the low-cost airline.
Smooth Connectivity starting at Boarding to Arrival
BA stated that the implementation for this service formed part of a multi-billion pound “transformation” plan and would provide smooth connectivity coverage for travelers starting at boarding to arrival, also when traveling above large bodies of water or remote regions.
Customers can connect multiple gadgets and they will not require a unique access code.
“Gamechanging for the airline as well as passengers, enhancing onboard service in the air with us by offering passengers continuous internet throughout the flight.”
Current Internet Options
Limited wifi service is currently offered for BA flyers on nearly all of the airline's jets using the .air platform.
Participants of the airline's frequent flyer program may send texts plus text-based correspondence onboard without paying, whereas travelers wishing to watch music, movies, and content during their flight and are not flying in business or first may be charged between four pounds ninety-nine to twenty-one pounds ninety-nine for a internet package.
Starlink’s Infrastructure
The provider uses a system of thousands of satellites and it's run under SpaceX’s SpaceX.
Latest Improvements for the Airline
BA's management has been striving to improve operations again after a period of budget reductions, IT problems, industrial action, plus staff cuts.
The airline noted that implementation with smart technology has assisted the airline to achieve the airline's on-time performance to the best levels from 2012.
Profit Outlook
Earlier this year, the carrier announced a jump for operating profits for the first half of this year, contributing to the parent company results to grow.
IAG is due to report the financial performance for Q3 recently shortly.
Additional SpaceX Agreements
British Airways’ news comes shortly following telecom operator Virgin Media O2 said it was teaming up alongside Starlink to enhance mobile network coverage in rural parts of the UK, by allowing users to easily hook up handsets through space-based systems when no traditional mobile signal exists.
