What happened
easyJet said Monday it will deploy Starlink across its fleet, with rollout starting in the first half of next year and all installations slated to wrap up in early 2028. The company framed the move as a way to broaden its appeal to both corporate and holiday customers.
The news was published Oct. 26, 2026 at 5:02 a.m. EDT and updated at 6:09 a.m.
The aim and the deal backdrop
The airline is moving through a take-private transaction with Apollo Global Management Inc., and the private equity firm has signaled plans to roll out premium and business-focused offerings on core routes. In January, easyJet Chief Executive Officer Kenton Jarvis said the company had been in talks with SpaceX but added that "the economics of the deal don't work." He also noted the carrier was in discussions with other providers about adding Wi-Fi once the timing was right.
SpaceX's aviation push and a vocal skeptic
For Elon Musk's SpaceX, this is another aviation win, adding to contracts secured with British Airways owner IAG SA, Emirates and United Airlines Holdings Inc. Not everyone is on board. Ryanair Holdings Plc CEO Michael O'Leary sparred publicly with Musk earlier this year after arguing that the weight and drag from a Starlink antenna on the aircraft cabin roof would raise fuel costs, making the system unattractive for the Irish low-cost carrier.
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Market snapshot and why investors care
Recent market screens showed Space Exploration Technologies Corp at 148.13, up 0.43%; easyJet PLC at 680.20, up 0.18%; International Consolidated Airlines Group SA at 412.70, up 4.56%; Ryanair Holdings PLC at 23.12, up 2.62%; and Apollo Global Management Inc at 116.20, up 2.99%. In plain English: onboard connectivity is becoming a competitive feature even for budget carriers. Watch how this rollout and the take-private plan shape easyJet's product mix and demand, and what that signals for suppliers and rivals already tied to SpaceX.
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