WestJet and TELUS have formed a multi-year strategic partnership that the companies say will transform the in-flight experience for WestJet guests by providing fast and free internet presented by TELUS and delivered by Starlink on board WestJet aircraft.
The new platform will take off before the end of 2024, with installations on WestJet’s narrowbody fleet planned by the end of 2025 and wide-body aircraft planned to be upgraded by the end of 2026.
John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer said: “Through our strategic partnership with TELUS, we are setting a new standard in the Canadian airline industry by offering Starlink’s revolutionary inflight connectivity, and thanks to TELUS we are able to bring this inflight experience to WestJet Rewards guests for free.”
WestJet says it will be the largest North American and first commercial Boeing 737 airline to offer inflight connectivity powered by Starlink’s satellite constellation. The carrier chose Starlink as its new inflight technology partner for its ability to deliver enough bandwidth and lowest latency internet for every guest on board to live-stream videos or online game direct from their devices as if they were at home.
“With more than 1,000 aircraft committed to Starlink worldwide, high-speed, low-latency internet is the future of aviation connectivity and we’re excited to work with WestJet to bring Starlink technology to their guests in the coming months,” said Jason Fritch, SpaceX’s Vice President of Starlink Enterprise Sales.
WestJet Rewards members will be able to access the service free of charge thanks to TELUS, with WestJet guests easily being able to become WestJet Rewards members by creating a WestJet Rewards account online at any time in advance of their WestJet operated flight.