Latvian-based carrier airBaltic recently made headlines as the first European airline to bring the cutting-edge SpaceX's Starlink in-flight internet on board one of its Airbus A220-300 aircraft. On a dedicated test flight on February 20, 2025, Pilotcenter.net News had the unique opportunity to experience this groundbreaking in-flight service firsthand, soaring approximately 32,800 feet in the air - a thrilling 10 kilometers above ground level.

Back in December 22, 2022, airBaltic made history by signing a contract with SpaceX, making it the pioneering European airline to install Starlink internet on its planes. President and CEO of airBaltic, Martin Gauss, reflected on the journey to this achievement, stating, "The process was very challenging, especially navigating the stringent regulations of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for in-flight internet installation."

The inaugural Starlink-equipped flight departed from Riga International Airport at 19:45 local time, with media and airline representatives on board, showcasing a unique Latvian artistic livery. The 1-hour and 45-minute flight impressed passengers as they seamlessly connected to the Wi-Fi upon boarding, without the hassle of logins or additional charges, mirroring home or office connectivity.

At 1 hour and 18 minutes into the flight, the Speedtest app displayed impressive download speeds of 161 Mbps and upload speeds of 9.59 Mbps, enabling diverse activities like social media browsing, video calls, gaming, and even streaming services like YouTube and Netflix without any noticeable lag, buffered connections, or disruptions.

Martin Gauss highlighted that the remarkable speed and reliability of Starlink in-flight internet are unmatched, thanks to its innovative satellite constellation positioned in low Earth orbit at just 550 kilometers. This strategic positioning ensures uninterrupted coverage, distinctively superior to conventional geostationary satellites orbiting 36,000 kilometers away.

An interesting feature of the Starlink setup is its lightweight antenna, minimizing drag and potentially saving airlines millions in fuel costs compared to traditional satellite systems. As of February 4, 2025, Starlink announced that over 500 aircraft globally have active Starlink internet connections, with major airlines like Qatar Airways, Air France, and United Airlines gearing up to equip their fleets with this cutting-edge technology.

airBaltic plans to have half of its fleet equipped with Starlink internet by mid-2025 and aims to fully integrate Starlink across its A220-300 fleet by the end of 2025, ensuring passengers experience unparalleled connectivity and seamless in-flight experiences.