Austrian and SAS Begin Installing Starlink Inflight Connectivity

Austrian Airlines has put its first single-aisle aircraft with Starlink high-speed satellite internet into service. The A320neo, registered OE-LXF, operated its first flight with the system this week, the carrier confirmed.

The airline plans to equip 19 more aircraft with Starlink over the coming winter season, as part of a broader Lufthansa Group fleet fitting programme. Austrian had previously been installing Viasat's European Aviation Network (EAN) solution on some of its single-aisle jets under an earlier deal. Despite earlier statements that EAN installations would be completed by the end of this year, the carrier is now focused on Starlink.

Austrian also confirmed it will retire its Embraer fleet by 2029. Those aircraft are to be replaced by a smaller number of larger A320neo jets.

Separately, SAS has completed the switch of its A320neo fleet from Viasat's Ka-band solution to Starlink. The work covered 81 aircraft in six months. SAS's initial Starlink deal was announced in January 2025. The carrier still plans to roll out the service on its wide-body fleet.