(Courtesy: Hawaiian Airlines)
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiian Airlines has announced the introduction of in-flight internet service powered by Starlink, ensuring passengers can stay connected even at cruising altitudes.
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Passengers traveling between the Hawaiian islands and the U.S. mainland will now have access to seamless connectivity, making their journey as connected as life on the ground.
And the best part? It’s available at no charge!
Hawaiian Airlines has confirmed that the service will be immediately available to passengers as it is being rolled out across its fleet.
“In combining this advanced technology with our renowned Hawaiian hospitality, we aim to deliver a distinctive travel experience unlike any other carrier serving the Hawaiian Islands,” said Chris Liebertz, senior director of engineering at Hawaiian Airlines.
The airline conducted numerous test flights in collaboration with Starlink to ensure optimal performance and to evaluate the service’s resilience under various conditions while identifying opportunities for enhancing the user experience.
“Starlink’s specially designed aviation terminal, installed on Hawaiian’s aircraft, enables each plane to receive strong, high-speed internet signals from the satellites orbiting above Earth,” explained Will Seidel, director of Starlink engineering at SpaceX. “The terminal seamlessly switches connections from one satellite to another as aircraft traverse the Pacific, ensuring uninterrupted internet connectivity for passengers.”
Hawaiian Airlines and Starlink also emphasized their committed efforts to meet all safety standards set by the FAA.
“Following our ground and in-flight tests on the first A321neo, the FAA has certified Starlink for use on the rest of Hawaiian’s A321neo fleet, as well as any other A321neo aircraft,” added Seidel.
The development of the project took two years, with the initial announcement made in April 2022.
The anticipated completion of the project is in the spring of this year, marking the realization of the two-year endeavor.
“Today signifies a significant milestone not just for my team but for both companies. Collaborating with the Starlink team to equip our A321neos with this exceptional service has been an incredible journey,” expressed Liebertz.
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“I eagerly await my next flight to witness firsthand the game-changing impact of this technology on aviation for our passengers.”
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24957516/236811_WIFI7_CVirginia_1.jpg "United Airways now says first flights with Starlink Wi-Fi will take off spring 2025")
