Starlink inflight wifi becomes available for ATR aircraft

ATR Aircraft confirmed on Tuesday that they have gained certification to implement Starlink inflight wifi onboard ATR turboprop aircraft. The upgrade will be available as a retrofit on all ATR 72s.

The system has now been certified by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and developed by PMV Aerospace Engineering. Opening the skies to endless possibilities for airlines and passengers alike.

An Air New Zealand ATR 72 that will soon receive Starlink inflight wifi | Photo: Noah Stohr-Waldren

Now the new system is available, Air New Zealand plans to implement the inflight wifi onboard their fleet of ATR 72-600s later this year. The airline will be the first to make use of the newly available wifi on ATR 72s.

However, Air New Zealand’s use of the high-speed wifi will only be a trial - lasting six months. Then, if successful, Starlink Internet will be implemented across the entirety of the airline's remaining domestic fleet. Meaning passengers on board all domestic Air New Zealand flights will soon be able to stream video content seamlessly thanks to the high-speed and low-latency in-flight internet.

Air New Zealand chief digital officer Nikhil Ravishankar said it’s a “pretty big deal for the airline”.

“When we think particularly about domestic and regional connectivity, what we’re offering is an alternative to driving long distances. And now the ability to do that and do work while you're in the air as if you were in the office, or engage in content as you would on the ground, I think that’s a pretty exciting step and change in what we have been able to offer in our domestic service” Ravishankar said.