Passengers on Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic airline could enjoy superfast internet access at no cost if Elon Musk’s Starlink provider is rolled out across flights. Mr Branson is reportedly searching for a firm to provide speedy Wi-Fi for travellers, and his friendship with the world’s richest man paired with Starlink’s competitive browsing speeds could clinch the deal.
While the average Wi-Fi speed in a UK household is around 73.21 Mpbs, Musk’s satellite internet constellation offers superfast services of up to 250 Mbps – enabling users to download a two-hour film in just seven minutes. A number of different internet providers currently allow Virgin Atlantic fliers to get online at a cost of between £2.99 and £29.99 per flight, but the airline is looking for a more comprehensive broadband partner, according to The Times. Starlink was also recently rolled out on United Airlines regional flights, with free access for members of the company’s loyalty scheme – a measure that could be replicated on Branson’s UK-based airline.
Sources familiar with the behind-the-scenes negotiations said Starlink and California-based satellite company Viasat were frontrunners for the partnership.
Mr Musk, 53, and Mr Branson, 74, met at the Caribbean wedding of Google co-founder Larry Page in December 2007, and became firm friends in the years after – with the British entrepreneur describing Mr Musk as a man of “tremendous intelligence”.
The pair, who have stayed close despite their business endeavours often dominating the same spheres, could now capitalise on their joint success to transform the often sub-par provision of in-flight internet access.
Speculation of a collaboration between the two billionaires comes after Virgin Atlantic recorded its first profit after tax in almost a decade last year, following a raise in passenger numbers.
The company reported record revenues of £3.3 billion in 2024, up £183 million from 2023, due to a 7.6% spike in fliers linked to an uptick in the popularity of business and premium travel.
The award-winning airline also recently announced new routes to cities including Toronto, Riyadh, Cancun and Seoul.
Virgin Atlantic has been contacted for comment.
