Fast and free internet on intercontinental flights - for KLM. Photo: Shutterstock Dutch airline KLM has announced a significant expansion of its in-flight internet services: Starting in mid-2027, the company will begin offering fast, free internet on its intercontinental flights, using Starlink satellite technology.
The new service will be available in all passenger classes, from Economy to Business Class, and will be gradually introduced on aircraft equipped with the system.
The announcement was made last weekend, as part of the 107th anniversary of the founding of the Dutch airline, and represents another step in the company's plan to upgrade the passenger experience on long-haul flights.
Unlike traditional internet systems on airplanes, some of which have limited browsing speeds, KLM's new service is designed to enable a fast and continuous connection that will support a variety of digital operations.
Passengers will be able to send and receive messages and e-mail, surf the Internet, listen to music, play online games and watch movies and series via streaming services.
The airline notes that the technology is based on an array of satellites in low Earth orbit, which makes it possible to provide an Internet connection even over remote areas, including oceans where traditional communication services are more limited.
The service is planned to operate from the moment of boarding the plane, subject to the availability of the system on aircraft equipped with it.
Who will receive the free service?
The new internet will be offered free of charge to members of the Flying Blue Club, the frequent flyer club of the Air France-KLM group. Members will be able to log in using their account details and access the service. Non-members will be able to join the club free of charge, before or during the flight via the aircraft’s web portal.
This means that even passengers who do not hold special status in the club will be able to enjoy the service for free, after registering.
However, KLM emphasizes that the installation will be carried out in stages. Therefore, the service will not be available on all intercontinental flights on launch day, but only on aircraft where the system installation is completed.
The new move comes after KLM began offering fast, free internet on most of its fleet of aircraft operating on European routes in early 2026.
Photo: KLMAs mentioned, the company is now expanding the service to its intercontinental flight network, which includes destinations in North America, Asia, Africa and other regions.
The expansion of the service is expected to be particularly relevant to passengers on long-haul flights from Amsterdam and connecting passengers, who will benefit from an Internet connection at no additional charge on aircraft equipped with the system.
KLM CEO Marjan Rintel commented on the move and noted that the company is fulfilling a long-standing request from its passengers for fast and free internet connection even on long flights, as part of its investment in improving the flight experience.
The service will begin operating in mid-2027, and at this point the company has not yet released a full timetable for completing the installation across its entire intercontinental fleet.