Frontier Airlines Finally Gets Onboard with Starlink Wi-Fi by 2027

Frontier Airlines is finally joining the connected skies. The ultra-low-cost carrier announced Tuesday that it will begin rolling out in-flight Wi-Fi powered by SpaceX’s Starlink system starting in early 2027. The move ends years of resistance from Frontier, which was one of the last major U.S. airlines to hold out on offering internet access to passengers. The first Airbus jet equipped with the satellite service is expected to take flight next year.

Frontier isn’t alone in this shift. Four other budget carriers that share the same private equity backer—Mexico’s Volaris, Europe’s Wizz Air, Chile’s Jetsmart, and the Philippines’ Cebu Pacific—are also signing on to Starlink. Together, they operate more than 1,000 planes. While Frontier declined to say whether the service will be free, major competitors like United and American have been offering complimentary Wi-Fi to loyalty members after striking similar deals with Starlink. The airline’s former CEO, Barry Biffle, had long cited the extra weight of traditional equipment as a reason for holding off.

The timing reflects a broader pressure on budget carriers to upgrade their offerings. As full-service airlines rake in revenue from premium seats and add-ons, discounters like Frontier are rethinking their no-frills model. Frontier is also planning to introduce first-class seats next year. Starlink, a division of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, now has deals with more than 40 carriers worldwide as travelers increasingly expect home-quality internet at 35,000 feet. Financial terms of the agreements have not been disclosed.