Starlink Aviation is the latest service offering from Starlink, aimed at the business and private jet market. Select aircraft will now have the option to provide high-speed, low latency internet to passengers for the first time.
Service won’t be cheap. The hardware costs $150,000, and monthly service starts at $12,500 per month. There are no contracts, and the hardware is covered under warranty as long as service is active.
Interested customers can reserve their hardware now with a $5,000 deposit. Starlink expects to start shipping hardware sometime in 2023.
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Starlink Aviation Specs
Starlink says the Aviation service can deliver up to 350 mbps to passengers, which should enable streaming, gaming, video calls, and most other internet activities. Data is unlimited.
Starlink can deliver up to 350 Mbps to each plane, enabling all passengers to access streaming-capable internet at the same time.
With latency as low as 20 ms, passengers can engage in activities previously not functional in flight, including video calls, online gaming, virtual private networks and other high data rate activities.
Starlink.com
Technology
The antenna, shown above, is the same phased array technology used in the other Starlink products. Customers will be responsible for installation through their existing maintenance provider, or independent providers recommended by Starlink. The hardware kit comes with the antenna, power supply, wiring harness, and Wifi access points.
Starlink Aviation is currently aimed at the business jet market, although Starlink has previously made arrangements with Hawaiian Airlines to provide Starlink Wifi to passengers on commercial airliners. We expect Starlink Aviation to be offered on more jets and airliners as time goes on.
Which Aircraft Are Supported?
Currently, the following aircraft support Starlink Aviation:
ERJ-135, ERJ-145, G650, G550, Falcon 2000, G450, Challenger 300, Challenger 350, Global Express, Global 5000, Global 6000, and Global 7500
Starlink is maintaining a compatibility list on their website, so check the link for an up-to-date listing of supported aircraft.
Final Thoughts
It’s an exciting time for internet technology. In the coming years, commercial aviation will have access to speeds and latency that rivals terrestrial broadband performance. Passengers will be able to stay connected and work/play from anywhere in the world.
Starlink Aviation joins Maritime and Business as their commercial offerings expand. These commercial markets are extremely lucrative, and will allow Starlink to secure revenue and future growth potential. I’m excited to see where Starlink expands from here, and how the commercial growth might impact future residential hardware/service.
Learn more about Starlink Aviation by visiting the Starlink website.