KLM has chosen Starlink to bring free high-speed Wi-Fi to its intercontinental flights. The Dutch airline announced on 7 October, its 107th anniversary, that passengers in all cabin classes will be able to get online for free on long-haul flights from mid-2027, with the service rolled out across the fleet in phases.
Free for Flying Blue members, in every cabin
According to KLM, the new service will offer fast and unlimited internet access for email, browsing, music, gaming and streaming films and series. It will be free for members of Flying Blue, the loyalty programme KLM shares with Air France. Passengers log in with their Flying Blue account, and travellers who are not yet members can sign up before the flight or on board through the inflight portal. Once registered, they can use the free Wi-Fi on any equipped aircraft.
"We are making a long-standing wish of our passengers a reality: fast, free Wi-Fi on intercontinental flights starting in mid-2027," said KLM chief executive Marjan Rintel. "This will allow passengers to stay connected even high above the ocean. The introduction of free Wi-Fi is part of KLM's continued efforts to provide its passengers with a comfortable, digitally connected travel experience."
KLM did not say which aircraft will be fitted first. Business Traveller reported that the airline aims to complete the rollout across its intercontinental fleet by mid-2028.
Why Starlink
Starlink uses SpaceX's constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, which offers lower latency than traditional geostationary satellite systems and coverage over oceans and remote routes. KLM says the service supports live streaming, online gaming and video calls and is available from the moment passengers step on board.
For KLM's long-haul passengers the change should be significant. According to One Mile at a Time, the airline currently uses a mix of Intelsat and Panasonic Wi-Fi on most of its widebody aircraft. The site expects Starlink to reach KLM's Boeing 777s, Boeing 787s and newly delivered Airbus A350s, and doubts that the Airbus A330s, which are being phased out, will be fitted.
Two systems: Viasat in Europe, Starlink long-haul
Unlike several of its European rivals, KLM is not putting Starlink on its whole fleet. Since the start of this year it has offered free, fast and unlimited Wi-Fi on most of its European fleet, and those narrowbody aircraft use Viasat connectivity, which KLM plans to keep. Starlink is reserved for the intercontinental network.
The decision closes a gap with its competitors. One Mile at a Time notes that IAG carriers, Lufthansa Group airlines and KLM's own sister airline Air France are already rolling out Starlink, leaving KLM as one of the last major European holdouts until this week's announcement.
Part of a wider Starlink wave
Airlines on both sides of the Atlantic are moving quickly to the service. In recent weeks, United said it is targeting Starlink Wi-Fi on more than 1,000 mainline jets by May 2027, and American Airlines has reportedly planned Starlink across its Boeing mainline fleet. Royal Air Maroc this week said it will begin fitting Starlink on 41 aircraft from early 2027, becoming the first African airline to adopt the service.
Anniversary tradition
The Wi-Fi news came alongside KLM's annual anniversary tradition of unveiling a new Delft Blue miniature house for its World Business Class passengers. This year's house celebrates Dutch wine, according to Business Traveller.
For travellers, the practical takeaway is simple: KLM long-haul flights before mid-2027 will still use today's Wi-Fi systems, and the free Starlink service will arrive aircraft by aircraft over the following year.
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