EasyJet passengers will be able to ditch flight mode and use 'fast' Wifi on plane

EasyJet has made a shock announcement as it teams up with SpaceX in a move to connect passengers like never before.

Sick of not being able to go on your laptop or phone whilst mid-flight?

Not anymore.

easyJet announced it will offer Wi-Fi onboard for the very first time, and you only have to wait until next year to enjoy it.

But not everyone is too keen on the idea.

In an update to the company's offerings via its X account, easyJet posted just today (26 October), that things are changing, and passengers will soon be able to enjoy Elon Musk's Starlink internet connection whilst onboard.

The tweet said: "COMING SOON on @easyJet flights... the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky - powered by @Starlink."

While this is pretty historic and a great thing for those who don't fancy rawdogging their journeys, some were not impressed.

One X user wrote: "No more quiet flights, especially if a late flight....."

Another said: "Will you be selling earbuds and earphones too?"

In defence of the move, however, someone wrote: " A lot of comments here don’t know how good Starlink is. We’re talking >100mbps with low latency, from a plane. It’s already in operation with other airlines and it’s magic."

A user wrote: " This is excellent news! Well done EasyJet, as a regular customer I am delighted."

A third said: "I will always pay to use easyJet now even if more money."

According to the company's press release, Starlink will be deployed from the first half of 2027 across the airline’s A320, A320neo and A321neo fleet, and should be completed by 2028.

Thanks to the partnership, easyJet says passengers could end up being able to 'stream, game and browse on their own devices, just as they would on the ground, with access to the fast, reliable connectivity managed by Starlink.'

Apparently, it can also be used to order food from the in-flight menu.

Kenton Jarvis, CEO at easyJet, said of the move: “In an increasingly digital world, staying connected matters more than ever to many of our customers, whether that’s holidaymakers looking to unwind with inflight entertainment, or our business customers keeping up to speed with what’s happening on the ground.

“Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA and partnering with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed internet connectivity onboard for the first time will not only further enhance the experience we provide millions of customers, but means we are offering more of the options both business and leisure travellers want when they choose who they fly with.

“Giving customers the opportunity to get online in the air will mean even greater choice and convenience when you fly with easyJet. Ultimately, it’s yet another way we’re making travel easy.”

Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, also revealed:

“We’re proud to bring Starlink onboard easyJet and transform the way their customers stay connected throughout their travels. Fast, reliable connectivity from take-off to landing means people can work, stream, or stay in touch without interruption.”

Right now, the likes of ZIPAIR Tokyo, JSX and Aero offer Starlink Wi-Fi with Starlink Flights claiming British Airways, United Airlines, Air France, and more are rolling out the new service soon.

While it's great and all, it does bring up some previous arguments about the safety of Wi-Fi on planes, with some even mentioning the whole point of 'airplane mode' is to stop certain dangers.

However, apparently, 'airplane mode' is no longer necessary when it comes to the Starlink offering thanks to one handy feature,

The Civil Aviation Authority explains the theory: “Scientific research has shown that mobile phones can interfere with the normal operation of aircraft equipment and can also cause interference in pilot’s headsets."

It adds: “Mobile phones, and many electronic gadgets, when not in flight mode, will continue to transmit electromagnetic signals as the device attempts to maintain contact with a communications network."

With so many phone operating out of the 'in-flight' mode, the 'critical phases of flight, such as take-off and landing, remains a serious concern.'

But that's for 4G network usage.

Starlink instead uses 5G capabilities, which Glenn Bradley, Head of Flight Operations at the UK Civil Aviation Authority previously told the BBC: "We understand that plans to enable 5G onboard flights will operate in the higher frequency bands and therefore won't interfere with aircraft systems.”

So, it seems like it's safe to use.