Lufthansa Group to Install Starlink on Approximately 850 Aircraft
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The Lufthansa Group will deploy Starlink’s high-speed in-flight connectivity (IFC) service fleetwide across all airlines, totaling approximately 850 aircraft, with the first flights offering the service expected to take place in the second half of this year.
Starlink Offers Airline Groups Consistent IFC Across the Board
With this announcement, Lufthansa Group becomes the largest airline group in Europe to upgrade its fleet with Starlink technology. The group includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, low-cost carrier Eurowings, holiday airline Discover Airlines, and regional carriers Air Dolomiti and Lufthansa CityLine.
“Connectivity on board plays an important role today, and with Starlink, we are not only investing in the best product on the market, but also in the satisfaction of our passengers.”
The news follows on the heels of IAG’s announcement that it will equip 500 aircraft with Starlink IFC across its carriers: Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL, and Vueling. Outside Europe, the Hanjin Group, which consists of Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul, will also install Starlink fleetwide across over 300 jets.
Lufthansa Group said Starlink will be free of charge for status customers and Travel ID users across all travel classes. The service will allow passengers to stream and to use high-speed cloud-based applications during flights. The rollout is scheduled to be completed by 2029, with further details to be announced later in the year.
“The Lufthansa Group is evolving from a group of airlines into an integrated airline group. The new brand identity is therefore more than just a redesign; it is a strategic milestone.”
“In our anniversary year, in which we are celebrating Lufthansa’s 100th birthday, we have decided to introduce a new high-speed internet solution from Starlink for all our airlines,” stated Lufthansa Group CCO Dieter Vranckx. “The Lufthansa Group is taking the next step and setting an essential milestone for the premium travel experience of our customers. Connectivity on board plays an important role today, and with Starlink, we are not only investing in the best product on the market, but also in the satisfaction of our passengers.”
Another Innovative Partnership with Amadeus will Transform Airline Retailing
This prioritizing of cutting-edge technology complements Lufthansa Group’s extensive investments in new aircraft. It currently has more than 230 next-gen jets in its orderbook, including 100 long-haul aircraft. These are scheduled to enter service by 2030, when it believes that next-gen jets will account for 65 per cent, versus 25 per cent in 2025.
Lufthansa Group has also recently made headlines regarding an innovative partnership with Amadeus, which will see its airlines implementing an ‘Order ID.’ The ID brings together all the components of a passengers’ trip, including flights, reserved seats, baggage, upgrades, and lounge access into a single point of reference. The companies say the resulting efficiencies will enable faster rebooking, easier adjustments during irregular operations, and greater transparency for passengers.
Greater Synergy Across the Lufthansa Group
Away from the actual travel experience, the Group’s strategy is to bring the same cohesiveness to its brand identity. Last December, it announced a new logo, typeface and color palette that will be increasingly visible to passengers.
Vrankz explained, “The Lufthansa Group is evolving from a group of airlines into an integrated airline group. The new brand identity is therefore more than just a redesign; it is a strategic milestone. In a challenging environment, this step creates a visual anchor of trust for our customers. A visual identity in aviation must do much more than just create an eye-catching appearance. It will reflect our strategic brand values and a promise we want to make to our passengers across all our brands.”
This trio of news highlights an exciting time for Lufthansa Group carriers, with collaboration and innovation at the fore of its ongoing transformation.