JetSMART has announced it will outfit its entire Airbus A320 and A321 family fleet with SpaceX’s Starlink technology, becoming the first airline in South America to provide high-speed internet on board, and the second in the Americas after Copa Airlines. The company expects the service rollout to begin in 2027.
With the new connectivity, passengers will be able to use broadband internet from take-off to landing on any route. That means streaming high-definition content, joining video calls, playing online games, working remotely, and using apps and social networks with performance comparable to a ground-based connection.
The airline says coverage will extend across JetSMART’s full domestic and international network, which currently includes more than 90 routes throughout South America.
Starlink on JetSMART flights from 2027
Beyond improving the customer experience, JetSMART plans to use Starlink connectivity to support its day-to-day operations. Pilots, cabin crew, maintenance teams and staff in control centres will be able to share information in real time, helping to increase operational efficiency, improve the handling of unexpected situations, and support predictive aircraft maintenance.
Indigo Partners expands Starlink across multiple airlines
The move is part of a wider agreement covering all airlines in the Indigo Partners portfolio. In addition to JetSMART, the technology will be installed across the fleets of Wizz Air in Europe, Volaris in Mexico, Frontier Airlines in the United States, and Cebu Pacific in the Philippines.
In total, the group aims to equip more than 1,000 aircraft with Starlink, marking one of the largest global commitments to next-generation connectivity in commercial aviation. According to the companies, the intention is to provide reliable internet access without undermining the low-cost fare model.
“With the integration of Starlink, the airlines in our portfolio will be able to offer reliable, high-speed connectivity during flight, significantly raising the passenger experience for Wizz, Frontier, Volaris, JetSMART and Cebu Pacific“, said Bill Franke, Chair of JetSMART’s Board and Managing Partner at Indigo Partners.
JetSMART’s CEO and founder, Estuardo Ortiz, said the initiative strengthens the airline’s strategy of investing in innovation to enhance the passenger experience.
“Over these ten years, we have challenged the way people fly in South America through innovation and technology put at the service of our passengers. Now we take another step by adding Starlink to the region’s most modern fleet, offering the fastest Wi‑Fi in the sky and a top-tier connectivity experience on board. Being the first ultra low-cost airline in South America to make this service available reinforces the innovative and disruptive spirit that has been with JetSMART since its creation and will continue driving our growth in the coming years“, Ortiz said.
Airbus A320 and A321 fleet: passenger and operational gains
Starlink deployment will cover the airline’s entire Airbus A320 and A321 fleet. Among the expected operational benefits are real-time communication between aircraft and operations centres, improved operational management, maintenance based on data transmitted during flight, and continuous connectivity for crews. Passengers, in turn, will have access to high-speed, low-latency internet throughout their journey, expanding on-board options for entertainment and productivity.
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