Flights with airBaltic – a new era of travel with free Starlink internet

No internet, no messages, no work, no connection whatsoever with what’s happening on the ground. And although that once seemed normal, today, when our whole lives have moved into the digital realm, being disconnected like that starts to feel… strange.

And this is precisely where airBaltic really stands out, having managed to virtually eliminate the problem of ‘offline flights’. Not in theory, not for marketing purposes, but in reality – with working, fast and, most importantly, free Starlink internet on board.

When you first hear about it, it might seem like just another ‘nice to have’ feature. But as soon as you try it, you realise that this is a whole new level. And then you naturally start asking yourself: why isn’t it like this everywhere?

A flight that no longer feels like wasted time

One of the biggest changes brought about by internet on planes is very simple – the flight stops being a ‘wasted’ part of the day.

It used to be like this: you arrive at the airport, wait around, board, take off… and then you just wait. Sometimes you try to read, sometimes you watch a film, sometimes you just scroll through content you’ve already downloaded. But in reality – it’s not the same as being connected.

With Starlink, everything changes. You can do the same things you do every day. Check the news, reply to messages, view documents, even spontaneously plan the rest of your trip.

And this is where a very important feeling comes in – you no longer feel ‘offline’. You’re simply travelling.

Personal experience: why I’d choose airBaltic

To be honest, a few years ago, when choosing a flight, I used to look at things very simply – price, time, and perhaps comfort. Internet? It wasn’t even a criterion, because it simply wasn’t available.

Now the situation is changing. And if I were faced with two options today – one cheaper without Wi-Fi and the other slightly more expensive with airBaltic – there’s a very good chance I’d choose the second option.

Why? Because the difference in price is usually less than the value you get.

You get:

• a comfortable flight,
• the chance to work or relax without restrictions,
• and most importantly – the feeling that you’re in the ‘flow’, rather than somewhere between two worlds.

And once you’ve experienced that even once – it’s very hard to go back.

Starlink – why it actually works

Many people might think that ‘in-flight internet’ has been around before. And yes, it has. But more often than not, it was a very limited experience.

Starlink works completely differently from traditional solutions. Instead of a few high-altitude satellites, it uses a large number of low-orbit satellites. This means shorter distances, lower latency and significantly higher speeds.

The result is internet that’s actually usable. Not ‘just checking your email’, but using everything properly.

You can watch videos, use work tools, and even make video calls. And all of this happens in the air, at an altitude of several kilometres.

Working from a plane – the new norm

A particularly interesting aspect is working during the flight. If you’re someone who works on a computer, you probably know that feeling when a flight throws your whole day off track.

With the internet, that disappears.
You can:

• reply to important emails,
• tackle tasks,
• prepare for meetings,
• even take part in online calls.

And this isn’t about ‘having to work during the flight’. It’s about having a choice. You can work, you can relax, or you can do both.

Entertainment that actually works

If you don’t feel like working – even better.

The flight becomes time for yourself. You can watch a film, a TV series, YouTube, or even live sport. And most importantly – without buffering.

No need to:

• download everything in advance,
• worry about storage space on your phone,
• think about what to do if you get bored.

You just switch on and watch.

Psychological comfort that’s rarely talked about

One of the more interesting things you start to notice is not just the functionality, but the feeling.

When you know that at any time you can:

• text your loved ones,
• check important information,
• respond to a situation,

you feel more at ease.

That strange feeling of being ‘disconnected’ is gone. You’re still living your life, just a little higher up than usual.

Long-haul flights – where the true value is revealed

Whilst it’s convenient on short flights, on longer ones it’s a game-changer.

3–5 hours with and without the internet are two completely different worlds.

Without the internet, it’s time you’re trying to ‘kill’.
With the internet, it’s time you can make the most of or simply enjoy.

And this is where you realise that sometimes it’s worth paying a little extra. Because you’re not just buying a flight. You’re buying time, comfort and an experience.

Will this become the new standard?

It’s very likely that it will.

Just like back in the day:

• screens appeared,
• USB ports appeared,
• Wi-Fi appeared,

and now we’re seeing the advent of normal, fast internet.

airBaltic is currently one of the first to take this seriously. And that gives them a very clear advantage.

Why this changes your choice

In the past, when choosing a flight, you used to think:

• where is it cheaper,
• where is it more comfortable,
• where is it quicker.

Now there’s another criterion – the experience.

And if you have to choose between:

• a cheaper flight without Wi-Fi
• and a slightly more expensive one with full functionality
• it is increasingly logical to choose the second option.

Because, in reality, you get more than just a seat on the plane.

In conclusion

Flights are no longer just a means of transport. They are becoming part of your day, your work, your leisure.

With airBaltic and Starlink, this is becoming even more apparent. You no longer ‘disappear’ for a few hours. You simply change location – from the ground to the sky.

And to put it very simply – yes, if I have a choice, I’d increasingly opt for this kind of flight. Even if it costs a little more. Because that ‘little bit’ very quickly turns into ‘why isn’t everyone else doing this yet?’.