Wizz Air will install Starlink Wi-Fi on its aircraft starting in 2027.

      Affordable flights and reliable Wi-Fi have seldom been found together, and Europe's low-cost airlines have had a valid reason: the economics haven't balanced out. Wizz Air is wagering that this is about to change.

      The Hungarian ultra-low-cost airline announced on Monday that it will introduce Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, throughout its fleet starting in 2027, making it the first European budget airline to commit to this technology. Wizz Air intends to equip its entire Airbus A320-family fleet, which includes over 200 aircraft as well as new acquisitions, with this service. However, it did not reveal the financial details.

      This hesitation is significant, as the economics have been precisely what has made competitors hesitant. Both Ryanair and EasyJet have pointed out the expenses associated with equipping low-cost planes with Starlink.

      Michael O’Leary of Ryanair has estimated that implementing it could cost his airline up to $250 million annually, partly due to the added weight and drag from the rooftop antenna, which increases fuel consumption. EasyJet mentioned in January that the financials were "not favorable yet." By being the first to act, Wizz Air is taking a chance that its major rivals have avoided.

      The attraction lies in speed.

      Conventional in-flight Wi-Fi, provided through older satellites or ground towers, has often been slow, inconsistent, and expensive. Starlink's low-Earth-orbit network promises rapid, low-latency connectivity sufficient for streaming, with Wizz claiming that passengers could download a three-hour HD movie in roughly three minutes.

      It remains uncertain whether customers will be willing to pay for this: the airline has not indicated if the service will be complimentary, charged, or linked to a loyalty program. In contrast, United Airlines plans to equip over 1,000 aircraft with Starlink and offer it for free to its members.

      Wizz’s chief commercial officer, Ian Malin, mentioned only that “ultra-low-cost travel has always been about making opportunities accessible to more people.”

      Wizz Air is the latest airline to partner with Starlink, which has also secured agreements with US airlines like American, Southwest, United, and Alaska, as well as long-haul carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Emirates. The timing is significant: SpaceX, Starlink's parent company, is set to go public this week in one of the largest IPOs in history, and a series of airline contracts enhances its narrative.

      With over 7,000 satellites in orbit, Starlink leads a market that competitors are eager to enter, including Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Europe’s own struggling satellite initiatives.

      For Europe, there is an uncomfortable undertone.

      A European airline relying on a US-controlled network operated by Musk is emerging as the continent expresses concerns over its dependence on American technology, ranging from chips to AI. However, there is currently no European system that fulfills the same role, and Wizz, which reports its annual results on Thursday, clearly believes that the benefits of connectivity outweigh the political and financial implications.

      For passengers, the promise is straightforward: starting in 2027, a Wizz Air flight could feature Wi-Fi robust enough for practical use.

      Whether this service will be complimentary or a new upsell for the airline is still an unanswered question, and given that the airline charges for nearly everything, many would not anticipate it being free.