Frontier to add Starlink Wi-Fi as budget carriers upgrade cabins

Frontier Airlines plans to introduce in-flight internet for the first time in early 2027 through SpaceX’s Starlink, the carrier said Tuesday. The agreement is part of a broader rollout across five budget airlines with more than 1,000 aircraft between them, adding momentum to Starlink’s aviation business as low-cost carriers reassess onboard amenities.

Frontier said its first Airbus aircraft fitted with Starlink equipment is expected to enter service early next year. The Denver-based airline does not currently offer Wi-Fi, making the installation a notable shift for a carrier built around a lower-cost, no-frills operating model.

A Frontier spokeswoman declined to say whether passengers would pay for access. CNBC reported that several large airlines that have signed Starlink agreements have offered Wi-Fi at no charge to members of their loyalty programs.

Starlink expands in aviation

Starlink, the satellite internet unit of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has signed agreements with more than 40 airlines globally, according to CNBC. Those customers include United Airlines and American Airlines, as carriers seek to improve onboard connectivity while travelers increasingly expect service closer to what they use on the ground.

The system uses satellites in low Earth orbit to connect aircraft to the internet, rather than relying only on ground-based towers or older satellite networks. Airlines must install antennas and related equipment on aircraft, a process that adds hardware and requires aircraft-by-aircraft certification and scheduling.

The airlines did not disclose the commercial terms of their agreements, according to CNBC. SpaceX did not immediately comment.

Five Indigo-linked carriers join rollout

The latest group of carriers includes Frontier, Mexico’s Volaris, Wizz in Europe, Chile’s Jetsmart and Cebu Pacific in the Philippines. CNBC reported that all five have Indigo Partners as an investor. The private equity firm is led by Bill Franke, a longtime airline investor.

Frontier had previously discussed adding Starlink, CNBC reported in 2022. The airline had been one of the remaining U.S. carriers without onboard Wi-Fi. Former Chief Executive Barry Biffle had said earlier that Frontier was cautious about adding the equipment because of the weight it would put on aircraft, CNBC reported.

Weight matters in airline economics because added equipment can raise fuel burn, while installation time can remove aircraft from service. Carriers weigh those costs against potential revenue, loyalty benefits and competitive pressure, particularly on routes where passengers compare basic fares across several airlines.

The move comes as discount airlines face pressure to broaden their products. Larger network carriers have reported revenue gains from premium cabins, while the traditional low-cost formula of dense seating and limited amenities has come under strain. Frontier has also said it plans to introduce first-class seats next year, according to CNBC.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.