Starlink In-Flight Wi-Fi Is Twice as Fast as Ground Internet – New Data Reveals

Starlink’s satellite internet service is now delivering faster speeds in the air than many traditional providers do on the ground, according to a new report by internet speed test giant Ookla.

The report, covering the first quarter of 2025, shows that Starlink-equipped planes recorded median download speeds of 152Mbps and upload speeds of 24Mbps, with latency as low as 44 milliseconds — figures that outpace all other in-flight Wi-Fi providers and even surpass typical home broadband performance in some regions.

In fact, Starlink’s airborne performance nearly doubles the speed of the next-best in-flight competitors, with significantly lower latency. For comparison, MTN Satellite Communications posted a latency of 667ms — more than 15 times slower than Starlink’s 44ms.

These lightning-fast speeds allow passengers to stream 4K video, play online games, and hold videoconferences mid-flight — capabilities that were once considered impossible with legacy in-flight internet providers.

The secret behind Starlink’s dominance lies in its unique constellation of over 7,000 low-Earth orbit satellites, operating at roughly 342 miles above Earth. This is a stark contrast to traditional satellite internet providers like Hughesnet and Viasat, which rely on satellites orbiting over 22,000 miles away — resulting in slower speeds and far higher latency.

“That’s just physics,” said Kerry Baker, author of the Ookla report. “When you’re transmitting data from 22,000 miles versus 300 miles, you’re naturally going to see nearly a second in delay. Starlink’s low-Earth orbit architecture changes the game.”

What’s even more surprising: Starlink’s in-flight speeds are faster than its on-ground performance. In the same period, U.S.-based Starlink users on the ground averaged 105Mbps download speeds, 15Mbps uploads, and 45ms latency — still impressive, but not quite at the level delivered mid-flight.

Several major airlines are already capitalizing on Starlink’s high-speed in-flight connectivity. Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways recorded test results in Q1 2025, while United Airlines began rolling out Starlink across select aircraft starting May 15. Additionally, Scandinavian Airlines signed a deal in January 2025 to equip its entire fleet with Starlink.

With this breakthrough, SpaceX’s Starlink is not only redefining satellite broadband but also reshaping what’s possible in aviation — pushing the boundaries of ultra-fast, low-latency internet access at 35,000 feet.