A Long-Haul Pacific Airline Is Making Wi-Fi Free for Everyone

Air Tahiti Nui, the flag carrier of French Polynesia, has agreed with SpaceX to install Starlink internet across its fleet of Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with the rollout scheduled to begin in 2027. The airline says the service will be complimentary in every cabin, meaning passengers will not have to buy an internet package to get online during their flight.

The carrier operates some of the longest routes in the Pacific, where connectivity has historically been patchy or expensive, so the move is a notable one. Air Tahiti Nui describes the new service as ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi and says it expects latency of about 25 to 30 milliseconds, a figure that matters for video calls and streaming rather than just email and messaging.

One detail the airline highlights is that it expects the connection to remain available during takeoff and landing, which is when many in-flight Wi-Fi systems drop out. Passengers should still expect the usual caveats of airborne internet, including variable speeds when a cabin is full, but a fully free service removes the cost barrier that deters many travelers.

The announcement fits a wider trend of airlines choosing Starlink for free or low-cost connectivity. For travelers heading to Tahiti and other Pacific islands, the long flights from Paris, Los Angeles or Tokyo could become considerably easier to fill with work, entertainment and staying in touch. The first installations are not expected before 2027, so the benefit is still some way off.

Sources: Air Tahiti Nui, The Bulkhead Seat