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Low-cost carrier JetSmart to feature Starlink Wi-Fi on planes from next year
🇦🇷 Argentina /Technology

Low-cost carrier JetSmart to feature Starlink Wi-Fi on planes from next year

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • JetSmart will equip its Airbus fleet with Starlink satellite internet, becoming South America's first low-cost airline to offer onboard connectivity.
  • The rollout begins in 2027, providing internet access on all flights, including domestic and international routes.
  • This initiative is part of a broader agreement involving Indigo Partners' airlines, aiming to equip over 1,000 aircraft globally with Starlink.

South American low-cost carrier JetSmart is set to become the first airline in the region to offer onboard satellite internet, integrating Starlink's technology across its fleet.

The airline announced it will install Starlink terminals on its Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. This upgrade, scheduled to begin in 2027, will provide passengers with internet access throughout all flight phases, from takeoff to landing, on both domestic and international routes. JetSmart currently operates over 90 routes.

This connectivity enhancement is part of a larger collaboration among airlines under the Indigo Partners portfolio. JetSmart, alongside Wizz Air (Europe), Volaris (Mexico), Frontier Airlines (United States), and Cebu Pacific (Philippines), plans to equip more than 1,000 aircraft collectively. This initiative represents one of the most significant global deployments of satellite internet for commercial aviation.

With the incorporation of Starlink, the airlines in our portfolio will be able to offer reliable and high-speed connectivity on board, elevating the passenger travel experience.

— Bill FrankeThe Chairman of JetSmart and managing partner at Indigo Partners commented on the benefits of the new service.

Bill Franke, Chairman of JetSmart and managing partner at Indigo Partners, stated that the integration of Starlink will enable the portfolio airlines to offer reliable, high-speed onboard connectivity, thereby enhancing the passenger travel experience. JetSmart CEO Estuardo Ortiz highlighted the move as an innovative step, reinforcing the airline's pioneering spirit in the ultra-low-cost sector.

While the company has not yet specified whether the service will be free or an additional charge, Starlink's high-speed, low-latency connections are expected to support activities like video calls, messaging, social media use, and streaming. The real-time connectivity will also benefit pilots, cabin crew, and operational staff, improving coordination and predictive maintenance.

Today we take another step by incorporating Starlink WiFi service into South America's newest fleet to offer onboard connectivity and continue elevating the travel experience. Being the first ultra-low-cost airline in the region to offer this service reflects the innovative spirit that has characterized JetSmart since its inception.

— Estuardo OrtizJetSmart's CEO and founder discussed the significance of offering Starlink connectivity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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