Frontier plans Starlink Wi-Fi rollout as budget airlines add perks

Frontier Airlines plans to bring Wi-Fi to its planes in early 2027, ending its status as one of the few major U.S. carriers without onboard internet. For travelers and investors, the move shows how even low-cost airlines are adding amenities once treated as optional extras.

Frontier said Tuesday that its first Airbus jet equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink internet will enter service early next year. Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite internet business, which provides connectivity through satellites rather than ground-based cell towers.

The airline does not currently offer in-flight Wi-Fi. CNBC reported in 2022 that Frontier had been discussing a possible Starlink deal as it considered adding onboard internet for the first time.

A Frontier spokeswoman declined to say whether passengers would pay for the service. CNBC reported that major airlines with Starlink agreements have been making Wi-Fi free for members of their loyalty programs.

Five budget airlines sign on

Frontier is part of a broader group of discount carriers adding Starlink. The group also includes Mexico’s Volaris, European carrier Wizz, Chile’s Jetsmart and Cebu Pacific in the Philippines, according to CNBC.

Together, the five airlines operate more than 1,000 aircraft, CNBC reported. All five share a common investor: Indigo Partners, the private equity firm led by airline investor Bill Franke.

The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreements, according to CNBC. SpaceX did not immediately comment.

For SpaceX, the deal adds to a growing airline customer list. Starlink has signed agreements with more than 40 carriers globally, including United Airlines and American Airlines, CNBC reported.

Why Frontier changed course

Frontier had previously held off on Wi-Fi in part because of the equipment required. Barry Biffle, Frontier’s former chief executive, had said the airline was cautious about adding extra weight to aircraft for the service, CNBC reported.

That calculation is changing across the low-cost airline business. Budget carriers built their model around lower fares and fewer included perks, while charging separately for items such as bags, seats and other services. Larger rivals have recently posted revenue growth from premium cabin products, putting pressure on discounters to improve what passengers can buy onboard or before they fly.

Frontier is already planning to add first-class seats next year, CNBC reported. The Starlink rollout fits into that broader shift: the airline is still a budget carrier, but it is adding features that many travelers now expect from bigger airlines.

Wi-Fi can also affect how passengers compare airlines. If internet access becomes a standard part of the flight experience, carriers without it risk looking dated, especially on longer routes or business-heavy flights. Frontier has not said whether Starlink will be included in the ticket price, tied to loyalty membership or sold separately.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.