Lufthansa has operated its first passenger flight with Starlink connectivity, beginning a fleet-wide rollout that is expected to bring the satellite internet service to around 850 aircraft across Lufthansa Group airlines by 2029.
The inaugural flight took place on August 19 aboard Airbus A320neo D-AINM. The aircraft departed Frankfurt at 12:15 p.m. as flight LH234 to Rome, becoming the first Lufthansa Group aircraft to enter scheduled service with the new system.
Lufthansa CEO Jens Ritter activated the service during the flight. The aircraft will continue operating regular passenger services with Starlink installed.
The satellite-based system will replace or complement existing onboard connectivity products across the group’s airlines and is designed to provide broadband speeds capable of supporting regular internet use throughout a flight, including over oceans and other areas where conventional air-to-ground networks are unavailable.
Installation will initially concentrate on the narrowbody fleet. Lufthansa expects up to ten additional Airbus A320-family aircraft operated by Lufthansa and Lufthansa City Airlines to receive Starlink before the end of 2026.
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Most of the initial installations will be performed by Lufthansa Technik in Berlin and will be combined with scheduled maintenance stops to reduce additional aircraft downtime.
The program will subsequently expand to other Lufthansa Group carriers and to the long-haul fleet. By 2029, the group expects approximately 850 aircraft to be equipped, making the project one of the largest Starlink airline installations announced in Europe.
Access to the new Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi service will be free for Miles & More members and passengers registered with a Travel ID, regardless of travel class.
