Singapore Airlines will roll out LEO satellite Wi-Fi on its long-haul Airbus fleet, delivering faster connectivity alongside new A350 cabins from 2026.
The upgrade was outlined during a recent investor presentation and is set to complement the airline’s S$1.1 billion cabin retrofit program. That project covers 41 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, including the ultra-long-range models used on routes such as Singapore–New York, among the world’s longest commercial flights.
Singapore Airlines had initially planned to introduce its new cabins on Boeing’s long-delayed 777-9, but after years of postponements, the carrier shifted the initiative to the A350 fleet. The move allows customers to experience the upgraded interiors sooner, alongside significant improvements to the onboard digital experience.
While the airline did not name the LEO provider, industry watchers note that major international carriers, including Qatar Airways and Air France, have turned to Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service. Other major LEO networks, such as Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Telesat’s Lightspeed constellation, remain potential contenders.
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The current in-flight connectivity on many Singapore Airlines aircraft uses geostationary (GEO) satellites, which orbit about 35,000 kilometers above the Earth. GEO systems are functional but often slow, with high latency that makes tasks such as sending photos or loading websites inconsistent at cruising altitude.
LEO networks orbit just a few hundred kilometers above the planet, allowing for lower latency, faster upload and download speeds, and more stable connections. That shift could make streaming video, cloud gaming, and even joining video calls technically feasible on long-haul flights.
Singapore Airlines has not yet detailed the deployment timeline. However, LEO installations generally require shorter modification periods than traditional systems. Starlink advertises installation windows of 10–14 days, suggesting some A350 aircraft may receive upgraded connectivity even before the wider cabin refurbishment begins next year.
The move reflects a broader trend across the aviation industry, as airlines race to modernize in-flight connectivity to meet rising passenger expectations. With long-haul travel rebounding and demand for uninterrupted digital access growing, the introduction of LEO Wi-Fi could significantly reshape the onboard experience for Singapore Airlines customers.
