Austrian Airlines brings Starlink high-speed internet onboard
Starlink is now available to passengers on Austrian Airlines' A320neo, registered as OE-LXF
Starlink Wi-Fi has taken flight with Austrian Airlines. Passengers can watch TV series and enjoy cloud-based working high above the clouds on the first aircraft in the Austrian Airlines fleet. This aircraft – an A320neo, registered as OE-LXF and featuring the fastest in-flight internet connection currently available to passengers – took off on its first scheduled flight to Porto today.
"High-speed internet on board is increasingly becoming a core requirement for our passengers in all travel classes, and we are now investing heavily in this. By the end of the 2026/27 winter flight schedule, we aim to have fitted 20 of our aircraft with Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi powered by Starlink. This forms part of the largest product modernization programme Austrian Airlines has ever undertaken: alongside investments running into the billions in state-of-the-art aircraft, the latest generation of Premium Economy seats is also being fitted to our Boeing 787s, with the seating configuration expanded by one row to a total of 28 seats," the ailrine said in its September 8 press release. "At the same time, more than 5,000 square metres of new lounge space are currently under construction at Vienna Airport, with the opening of four completely new lounges planned for Q2 2027."
Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi, powered by Starlink
With the introduction of “Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi” passengers can enjoy high-speed internet in comfort whilst flying above the clouds. Relevant rules for users have been drawn up to ensure the best possible internet experience whilst also setting out how this can be achieved without causing disruption to any passengers, Austrian Airlines said. This is intended to ensure an appropriate, relaxed and undisturbed travel experience for everyone on board. Among other things, passengers are required to always wear headphones when playing audio and video content, to refrain from making voice and video calls, and not to broadcast live streams from on board. All passengers wishing to use the new Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi must agree to these terms of use. The new internet service will be free of charge for all Miles & More members and Travel ID users, across all travel classes.
Starlink is collaborating with the Lufthansa Group to equip the 850 aircraft across all the Group’s airlines. Through the world’s most advanced satellite constellation, Starlink enables streaming of video content, cloud-based working and other high-speed applications during flights.
The project forms part of extensive investments in new aircraft as well as product and service innovations across the entire travel chain. The group-wide roll-out of the new high-speed internet is intended to provide all passengers with a stable, high-quality online experience on board. In addition to Austrian Airlines, the other Group airlines – Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Lufthansa City Airlines and Eurowings – will also be equipped with Starlink.
Fleet modernization
The aircraft with the registration OE-LXF is the first of a total of six A320neo aircraft which, as part of the fleet modernization programme, will be added to Austrian Airlines’ short- and medium-haul fleet in addition to the fleet of the Austrian hub carrier. The 17 Embraer aircraft that Austrian Airlines had at the start of the modernization program will be phased out gradually by 2029. In return, the airline will take delivery of six brand-new A320neo aircraft, each with 180 seats.
Soon, another of these six Airbus A320neo aircraft, also equipped with Starlink, will take off for Austrian Airlines
