Airline giant Air Canada debuts Eutelsat OneWeb in-flight internet service [Update]
Air Canada and Eutelsat Partner for In-Flight Wi-Fi Revolution
In a significant move towards enhancing in-flight connectivity, Air Canada has teamed up with Eutelsat to deploy Eutelsat's low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite-powered internet service on their flights. This partnership is part of a broader aviation industry trend aimed at providing high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi to passengers.
Air Canada has integrated Eutelsat's multi-orbit solution, which combines LEO and traditional geostationary (GEO) satellite systems through a collaboration with Intelsat. The service, now available on all E75 and CR9 aircraft being flown as Air Canada Express within North America, promises significant improvements in both speed and reliability for passengers.
Meanwhile, other major airlines are partnering with SpaceX's Starlink for in-flight Wi-Fi. Starlink, known for its high-speed internet services, offers speeds of up to 200Mbps. WestJet, for instance, has launched their in-flight Wi-Fi powered by Starlink, and plans to outfit their entire fleet with Starlink by the end of 2026. WestJet's Starlink service is free for WestJet Rewards members, which is also free to join.
Alaska Airlines, an early adopter of Starlink, announced it will begin installing Starlink Wi-Fi on its entire fleet starting in late 2025. The service will be free for members of its new Atmos Rewards loyalty program. Other confirmed Starlink customers include Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, Qatar Airways, United Airlines, Air France, and SAS.
Eutelsat, with over 654 LEO satellites and 35 GEO satellites in operation, has also seen success with its aviation services. Powered by OneWeb LEO satellite constellation, Eutelsat's aviation services have officially gone live after over 100 certified antenna installations across various aircraft.
Cyril Dujardin, President of Eutelsat's Connectivity Business Unit, expressed his excitement about Air Canada's implementation of Eutelsat's multi-orbit solution, stating that passengers will experience significant improvements in both speed and reliability.
As of August 2025, Starlink's in-flight Wi-Fi partnerships have expanded to several major airlines, with multiple carriers already launching or planning to launch the service. The inflight internet revolution is well underway, with Starlink leading the charge.
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- The aerospace industry's momentum towards in-flight Wi-Fi improvements is evident, with Air Canada partnering with finance giants like Eutelsat and Intelsat for satellite-powered internet services, while other airlines such as WestJet, Alaska Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, United Airlines, Air France, and SAS resort to SpaceX's Starlink in the finesse of technology to bolster passenger connectivity.
- The competitive landscape of the technology sector finds its footing within the finance-investment-driven aerospace industry, as Eutelsat, with its extensive LEO and GEO satellite constellations, rivals SpaceX's Starlink, which powers the in-flight Wi-Fi solutions being deployed by multiple carriers across the globe.
