John Paul M. Joaquin Tech 04.20.2022 02:Apr AM EDT

Starlink for Inflight Wi-Fi? Delta Airlines is Testing the Possibility

If you have ever ridden on airplanes before, you'd know that an internet connection is non-existent due to phones being switched off or placed on airplane mode, so it doesn't interfere with the airplane's instruments. This loss of connection can affect your trip's quality since you can't play online games, talk to your friends or family, or do work if you're able to.

However, Delta Airlines may soon have a solution to that problem.

A recent report from The Wall Street Journal mentioned that Delta Airlines has begun testing out SpaceX's Starlink technology to connect its passengers with Elon Musk's satellite internet service to the airline, according to The Verge.

Given that the test is still in its infancy, Delta Airlines didn't give much detail about the test.

Delta Airlines 'Exploratory' Starlink Test

According to the Wall Street Journal's report, Delta Airlines' Chief Executive, Ed Bastian, said that the airline company is currently running "exploratory" tests of Starlink's technology, meaning they are still at the early stages of the test. Although Bastian did not provide further details about it, their tests indicate that they are at least interested in adding Starlink into their airplanes.

Delta Airlines may be one of the airline companies SpaceX was in talks with in July 2021 regarding providing onboard internet connections. This service is already provided by other companies to airlines, but not good enough due to slow and intermittent internet connection issues, according to Gizmodo.

The Verge reports that before SpaceX held talks with airline companies, it previously filed for approval from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide service to moving vehicles like trucks, boats, and even airplanes. Although the FCC allowed SpaceX to test its airplane-focused service, the company still needs approval from the Federal Aviation Administration if it wants to sell the service to airline companies.

SpaceX Starlink Capabilities

Starlink internet services is a satellite internet system from Elon Musk's SpaceX company that can bring 100 to 150 Mbps internet speeds to theoretically any place on the planet, per PC Mag. This coverage is possible thanks to Starlink's satellite constellation, which currently has 1,915 satellites in orbit; anyone with a Starlink satellite antenna could have an internet connection from even in the most remote area in the world regardless of hostile temperatures or the weather.

However, to achieve complete global coverage, 40,000 satellites are needed to be deployed to ensure a consistent and constant internet connection.

Unfortunately, getting a Starlink subscription recently became more expensive compared to when it was starting out to keep up with rising inflation. As such, interested customers will now have to pay $599 to have a Starlink satellite antenna installed.

Starlink is currently only available to people living in parts of the US and Canada between 44 and 53 degrees latitude. Despite this, the company plans to increase the coverage to all parts of the globe by the end of 2022, per Satellite Internet.