British Airways will become the first UK airline to provide free Starlink wifi for every passenger in every cabin from 2026, as part of its ongoing £7 billion transformation. Olivia Palamountain reports

British Airways has confirmed that from 2026, all customers in all cabins will have access to free, high-speed wifi powered by Starlink.

The rollout marks a significant milestone in the airline’s £7 billion transformation programme, which is reshaping everything from onboard comfort and technology to punctuality and sustainability.

Once fully implemented, British Airways passengers will be able to enjoy uninterrupted gate-to-gate wifi access across both long-haul and short-haul fleets – a first for the airline and a rare offering in global aviation.

Sean Doyle, chairman and chief executive of British Airways, calls the move “game-changing” for passengers. “We’re continuing to focus on transforming our customer experience. Launching Starlink on both our long-haul and short-haul aircraft elevates the experience on board our flights by offering seamless connectivity from gate to gate. Especially on short-haul, this will really differentiate us from our competitors,” he says.

“With our new wifi powered by Starlink, our customers will be able to enjoy lightning-fast, low-lag internet from the moment they board to the moment they land – even over oceans and remote regions. It’s wifi that feels like home, even at 38,000 feet.”

The introduction of Starlink connectivity adds to a series of recent upgrades under British Airways’ transformation programme, launched in 2024. To date, the airline has completed more than 1,000 improvement initiatives, including a new global lounge concept in Miami and Dubai, 15 refurbished lounges worldwide, and 17 new short-haul A320neo aircraft fitted with redesigned British-crafted cabins.

Since 2023, BA has also taken delivery of 36 new aircraft, while the introduction of AI-powered predictive maintenance and data-driven operational systems has helped deliver its best punctuality levels since 2012.

Looking ahead, British Airways plans to unveil a new First suite in 2026, featuring the airline’s widest and longest seat to date, a 32-inch 4K screen and fully adjustable mood lighting. A refreshed mobile app and additional Boeing 787-10 aircraft are also due to join the fleet next year.