British Airways has announced it will begin rolling out free, high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi to all passengers from early 2026. The initiative was formally announced on 6 November 2025 as part of the airline’s £7 billion transformation programme.
The carrier has signed an agreement with Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet provider. The new service will provide gate-to-gate connectivity across long-haul and short-haul aircraft, allowing passengers in every cabin, including economy, to stream, work, message and make video calls at no charge once the aircraft is equipped.
Installation will take place in phases, beginning in early 2026. British Airways’ parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), confirmed that more than 500 aircraft across its airlines are expected to receive Starlink connectivity over time.
The airline said the move is aimed at improving customer experience and modernising onboard services. Currently, Wi-Fi on many BA flights is either paid or limited to messaging for certain customers. The new system will replace this with complimentary broadband-level access.
British Airways was formed in 1974 through the merger of British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways. Headquartered in London and operating from Heathrow and Gatwick, it serves more than 200 destinations worldwide.
The rollout is expected to benefit millions of passengers annually once fully implemented, positioning BA among the first European carriers to offer free, high-speed satellite Wi-Fi fleetwide.
