Wizz Air passengers will be able to access high-speed internet from next year. The budget carrier headquartered in Hungary announced on Monday (June 8) that it is installing Elon Musk’s Starlink internet system on all its “new generation” aircraft.It said it will be the first European ultra-low-cost airline to use the technology.
Wizz Air did not say whether passengers will be charged a fee to use the service. Starlink is owned by Mr Musk’s SpaceX aerospace company and uses thousands of satellites orbiting Earth. Other airlines started offering the service on flights or announced plans to do so, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Ian Malin, Chief Commercial Officer at Wizz Air, said: “Ultra low-cost travel has always been about making opportunities accessible to more people.
“In 2027, we’re taking that philosophy into the space era. Our customers shouldn’t have to choose between affordable fares and reliable internet onboard to stay connected to the people, work and moments that matter most.
“We’re proud to lead that change by collaborating with Starlink to bring maximum benefit to Wizz Air.”
A row erupted in January between Mr Musk and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary over whether Starlink could be used on the airline’s aircraft.
After Mr O’Leary said this was not feasible, Mr Musk called Mr O’Leary an “idiot” and “chimp”. He even mused on X as to whether he should buy the airline.
Mr O’Leary claimed the “PR spat” had driven a 2-3% increase in sales.nmHe said at a press conference in January that his team would visit X’s office in Dublin to give Musk a free Ryanair ticket as a thank you for the “wonderful boost” in publicity.
The outspoken airline boss added: “If he wants to call me an idiot, he wouldn’t be the first and he certainly won’t be the last… But if it helps to boost Ryanair sales, you could insult me all day, every day.”