Starlink's connectivity is powered by a network of low-Earth orbit satellites positioned at 550 kilometers, offering faster signal transmission than traditional satellites located at 36,000 kilometers.

As of early February 2025, over 500 aircraft globally are equipped with Starlink connections, with airlines like Qatar Airways and United Airlines also planning to adopt the technology.

The lightweight Starlink antenna installed on the aircraft minimizes drag, which could lead to significant fuel savings over time.

airBaltic aims to equip half of its fleet with Starlink internet by mid-2025, with plans to have the entire A220-300 fleet connected by the end of the year.

On February 20, 2025, airBaltic conducted a test flight at 32,800 feet to demonstrate this new in-flight service.

The inaugural flight, which departed from Riga International Airport at 19:45 local time, lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes and featured a custom Latvian artistic livery.

Streaming services like YouTube and Netflix operated smoothly, and video calls via Microsoft Teams were clear and stable.

airBaltic has made history as the first European airline to implement SpaceX's Starlink in-flight internet service on its Airbus A220-300 fleet.

Passengers enjoyed seamless Wi-Fi access without the need for logins, pop-ups, or additional charges, akin to their home or office internet experience.

The airline's partnership with SpaceX began with a contract signed on December 22, 2022, to integrate Starlink internet into its aircraft.

Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic, noted the complexities involved in installing internet services on aircraft under European Aviation Safety Agency regulations.

During the flight, internet speeds reached 161 Mbps for downloads and 9.59 Mbps for uploads, enabling passengers to engage in various online activities without lag.