Lufthansa takes off with Starlink high-speed internet for the first time.

• The inaugural flight took place on 19 August 2026 from Frankfurt to Rome
• The A320neo “D-AINM” is the first aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet to feature the new technology
• Up to ten more A320 aircraft at Lufthansa and Lufthansa City Airlines are planned for 2026
• The new service is free of charge for Miles & More members and Travel ID users

On 19 August 2026, a Lufthansa aircraft took off for the first time with the new Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi powered by Starlink. An Airbus A320neo bearing the registration “D-AINM” is leading the way, making it the first aircraft in the entire Lufthansa Group fleet to feature the new high-speed service. Passengers can now enjoy in-flight internet speeds that are, in many cases, faster than their connection at home or in the office.

The inaugural flight took the “November Mike” from Frankfurt to Rome at 12:15 p.m. under flight number LH234. At an altitude of 10,000 metres, Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines, activated the system. From now on, the aircraft will operate scheduled services as the first in the Lufthansa fleet to feature the new technology.

Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines, says:

“We are investing more than ever in our guests: in new aircraft, new services, greater choice on board and, of course, state-of-the-art and innovative technology. With Starlink, we will offer the fastest connectivity from take-off to landing, over oceans and deserts, and on short- and long-haul routes. That, too, is premium—and that is what Lufthansa stands for. The introduction of this service marks another milestone in the modernisation of Lufthansa.”

Before the end of this year, up to ten more A320-family aircraft operated by Lufthansa and Lufthansa City Airlines are scheduled to receive the new high-speed internet service. The Starlink technology will be installed primarily at Lufthansa Technik in Berlin. Lufthansa is combining the installations with scheduled downtime for technical checks. Other Lufthansa Group airlines will also be equipped soon.

Equipping the entire fleet of all airlines with the new technology forms part of the Lufthansa Group’s extensive investments in new aircraft as well as product and service innovations throughout the entire travel journey. The Group-wide rollout of the new high-speed internet service is intended to provide all passengers with a consistently high-quality online experience on board. By 2029, around 850 aircraft across all Lufthansa Group airlines are expected to be equipped with Starlink. This will make Lufthansa Group the largest airline group in Europe to offer this modern high-speed internet access.

The new “Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi” allows passengers to browse the web and provides additional information about destinations, the Lufthansa Group and a wide range of eJournals. In future, passengers will also be able to access information and services relating to their flight. The portal also includes the terms of use applicable to all passengers. Mastercard is the sponsor of Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi and has already supported the previous FlyNet service as a partner. The service is free of charge for all Miles & More customers and Travel ID users, regardless of travel class.