SpaceX has dramatically lowered the monthly pricing structure for its Starlink Aviation inflight connectivity service packages in business aviation.
The satellite operator and aero ISP is now offering a “global” 20GB package of data in business aviation for $2,000/month. It will charge $100 for every additional GB of data. A “business unlimited” package now costs $10,000 per month.
This compares to the $12,500/month to $25,000/month packages previously offered to operators.
The company notes in an update that: “These plans are month-to-month without long-term contracts. Switch between plans, pause, or cancel any time.”
It is not immediately clear if the one-time hardware cost of $150,000, or indeed if estimated “all-in” pricing including installation of the phased array antenna, remains unchanged. RGN has sought comment from SpaceX.
Commercial airlines and ACJ/BBJ operators, meanwhile, are being urged to contact SpaceX for details about its “commercial unlimited” package, featuring “enhanced speeds” that “support streaming for every passenger”. Financial details are not provided.
The new BizAv service tiers, which are being highlighted by SpaceX on its newly updated Starlink Aviation page, come as Euroconsult warns that satellite capacity pricing is experiencing rapid declines in an increasingly disruptive market.
“Massive influx of supply in the market has ultimately contributed to a commoditization effect on connectivity, due to which the industry is witnessing a shift towards managed service offerings with attractive $/GB economics, primarily driven by Starlink,” says Euroconsult.
SpaceX is already disrupting the maritime sector. But in contrast to its partnership approach in maritime, SpaceX is going fully direct in civil aviation.
The Starlink Aviation kit is now available on the Airbus A321neo (now flying for Hawaiian), Bombardier Global 6000, Bombardier Global Express, Bombardier Global Express XRS, Embraer ERJ-135/145, Gulfstream G650, and Gulfstream G650ER aircraft. (Nextant has been receiving bizjet STCs for the Starlink Aviation hardware to support partner Flexjet’s rollout.)
SpaceX has also updated its expected timeline for certification across other aircraft types. It suggests that the Airbus A320, Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 will now be available in the fourth quarter.
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