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Comment by raw_anon_1111 | Hacker News Reader

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raw_anon_1111·

That’s not going to be an issue at all domestically soon unless you fly one of the cheapest airlines.

Delta has had free WiFi for awhile now as does JetBlue and I believe Southwest. It’s coming soon to AA and United.

I fly Delta 99% of the time.

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“Soon”? Why would they give up that money though? I feel like there’s so little competition they aren’t feeling the pressure. Otherwise everyone else would have been hurting 15+ years ago when JetBlue started their free Wi-Fi.

Delta and America already are offering free wi-fi on most domestic routes.

Why? Because Starlink. Starlink requires airlines to offer it for free (apparently, for now), and the airlines that have started offering it are making a big deal out of it because it's actually usable compared to a lot of the LEO- or ground-based offerings before.

United was looking to have its regional fleet done by end of this week, Qatar has finished their 777s; Hawaiian's entire fleet is done, so is airBaltic's. WestJet are also close.

British Airways is starting the rollout now, so are SAS, Air France and a few others.

>Starlink requires airlines to offer it for free

What's the catch?

Once one airline has it, the other airlines will have to buy it. But Delta is already using another satellites internet service.

Oh wow. I didn’t know that. People love to hate on Musk but that is exactly the sort of uncommon move that I’d expect out of him. Most companies would never challenge the “rights” of their customer (here the airline) to nickel and dime their way to incremental profit.

Just got back from several flights with Hawaiian, free Starlink on every one.

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