Swiss brings Starlink to its entire fleet by the end of 2029

Context

In brief

• Swiss activates Starlink on its first Airbus A320neo.
• The first connected flight: Zurich–Thessaloniki.
• The entire fleet will be connected by the end of 2029.
• Free Wi-Fi in all travel classes.

Key facts

• Technology → Starlink
• First aircraft → Airbus A320neo Iseltwald
• First flight → Zurich–Thessaloniki
• Initial expansion → three more Airbus A320s
• Full coverage → by the end of 2029
• Access → free in all classes
• Registration → Travel-ID or Miles & More number
• Offer name → Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi powered by Starlink

Swiss's first Airbus A320neo is in service with Starlink satellite technology. The company states this in a release, specifying that the first flight with the new Internet offering connected Zurich with Thessaloniki, Greece. The aircraft, named «Iseltwald», is the first in the Swiss fleet to offer the service.

The connection brings ultra-fast Internet on board and opens a new phase for using the network during a Swiss flight. Access, according to the company, is free for passengers in all travel classes. To use it, registration via Travel-ID or a Miles & More service card number is required.

The expansion program

The introduction does not cover all aircraft at once. As a next step, the carrier controlled by Lufthansa plans to equip three more aircraft from the Airbus A320 family with the new connection. Subsequently, the technology will gradually be extended to the other aircraft. The stated goal is to have a fully connected Swiss fleet, including above the clouds, by the end of 2029.

The service is presented under the name «Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi powered by Starlink». The connection allows users to send messages, share photos and access various online services. The schedule should therefore be understood in phases: the service starts with the Iseltwald aircraft, moves on to the three planned Airbus A320s and only then expands to the other aircraft.

The company has also set limits on network use. Voice calls, video calls and live streams are not permitted during the flight. Anyone watching videos or listening to audio content must use earphones. In addition, when sharing photos or videos, passengers must respect the privacy of other guests and the crew.

Operational details

For the passenger, the new feature has an immediate consequence: access to the network does not depend on the travel class, because Swiss indicates that it is free for all. The operational requirement is instead registration, possible via Travel-ID or via a Miles & More service card number. The source therefore links usage to a precise identification procedure.

The scope of permitted activities is equally clear. The connection is used to send messages, share photos and access various online services. It does not, however, include voice calls, video calls or live streams. Earphones are required for video and audio. The privacy rule adds a restriction when sharing images: other guests and the crew must be respected.

Availability that grows in stages

To understand when to expect the service, the equipment schedule is important. At this stage, the aircraft identified by Swiss is the A320neo Iseltwald. The next step concerns three other aircraft from the Airbus A320 family; only afterwards will the technology be gradually extended to the other aircraft. Coverage of the entire fleet is scheduled by the end of 2029. This means that the introduction is gradual and that availability is linked to the equipped aircraft, not to simultaneous activation across the entire fleet.

This distinction helps to interpret the announcement correctly: the service already active on the first A320neo is one thing, while the goal of a fully connected fleet is another. In the meantime, the usage rules remain those communicated by Swiss and apply to the access provided on board.

To place the topic among other daily expenses, it is possible to consult the costo della vita in Svizzera.

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Key points

To use the service, the operational procedure described by Swiss can be translated into an essential checklist. The conditions concern registration, available functions and the conduct required during the flight.

The checklist for the passenger

1. Use one of the two channels indicated for registration: Travel-ID or Miles & More service card number. 2. Complete the required registration through the chosen channel. 3. Use the connection to send messages, share photos and access online services. 4. Do not make voice calls, video calls or livestreams; use earbuds for video and audio. 5. Respect the privacy of other guests and crew when sharing photos or videos.

The second check concerns the aircraft. Swiss launched the service with Iseltwald, plans three other Airbus A320s and envisages a gradual expansion. Registration does not change this schedule: full coverage of the entire fleet is announced by the end of 2029. Availability must therefore be linked to the progression of the aircraft equipment indicated by the company.

If the objective is only to send messages, share images or access online services, these are the functions explicitly indicated. If, on the other hand, one intends to make a call, a video call or a livestream, use is not permitted during the flight. The use of earbuds remains mandatory for video and audio content.

For the logistical aspects of the journey, you can consult the information on mezzi pubblici. To complete your personal planning, use calcolatore stipendio.

Source: swissinfo.ch