Last Updated: February 2026 | Reading Time: 4 minutes | Author: Amazing Miles Editorial Team
Staying connected at cruising altitude has long been a frustrating experience for travelers, but recent speed testing reveals a significant divide emerging between airlines using next-generation satellite technology and those relying on older connectivity systems. Hawaiian Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Spirit Airlines now lead the industry in delivering reliable, fast in-flight internet access.
The Speed Test Results
According to performance data from Ookla, which tested 30 airlines worldwide, the gap between the best and worst in-flight internet experiences is substantial. Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways took the top two positions, both leveraging Starlink satellite technology to deliver median download and upload speeds that significantly outpaced competitors using traditional connectivity methods.
What makes these results particularly interesting is that Spirit Airlines, an ultra-low-cost carrier typically associated with bare-bones service, ranked third globally and first among U.S. carriers not using Starlink. Spirit outperformed legacy carriers Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines in both speed and latency metrics.
North American Carriers Ranked by Wi-Fi Performance
Among North American airlines, the hierarchy is clear. Hawaiian Airlines leads the region thanks to its Starlink deployment, followed by Spirit Airlines using conventional satellite internet. Air Canada placed fourth worldwide, ahead of Delta Air Lines, which ranked highest among U.S. legacy carriers.
United Airlines, which placed 11th overall, performed the worst among the big three U.S. legacy carriers. American Airlines landed somewhere in the middle of the pack. Budget carrier Breeze Airlines also made a respectable showing, ranking above United in the overall results.
Why Starlink Makes Such a Difference
The performance gap between Starlink-equipped aircraft and those using older systems comes down to technology fundamentals. Traditional in-flight Wi-Fi relies on either ground-based cellular networks or geostationary satellites positioned approximately 22,000 miles above Earth. Both approaches introduce latency and bandwidth constraints that limit connection quality.
Starlink operates a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites positioned just a few hundred miles up, dramatically reducing signal travel time and increasing available bandwidth. The result is internet speeds and responsiveness closer to what travelers experience on the ground.
International Carriers Struggling with Connectivity
At the bottom of the performance rankings sat several prominent international carriers. Lufthansa placed last overall, hampered by reliance on Deutsche Telekom’s ground-to-air LTE network. Cathay Pacific and Turkish Airlines also ranked near the bottom, along with Japanese carriers Zipair Tokyo and Japan Airlines.
The study notes that premium carriers like Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, and Japan Airlines likely offer better connectivity options on some aircraft, but significant portions of their passengers still connect through older, slower systems. This creates an inconsistent experience depending on which aircraft operates a given route.
Starlink Expansion Plans Across the Industry
Recognition of Starlink’s performance advantage is driving adoption plans across the airline industry. United Airlines reportedly plans to complete Starlink installation across its fleet by the end of 2025, which should dramatically improve its current 11th-place ranking.
Air France and Scandinavian Airlines are both working on Starlink rollouts across their fleets. Air New Zealand, which ranked near the bottom of the performance list, is taking a more cautious approach by installing the system on two aircraft first before making broader fleet decisions.
This widespread adoption suggests that mediocre in-flight Wi-Fi may soon become a relic of the past, at least among major carriers willing to invest in the infrastructure upgrade.
What This Means for Travelers
For frequent flyers who depend on connectivity for work or entertainment, these performance differences matter considerably. Videoconferencing, cloud document access, and streaming services all require both adequate bandwidth and low latency to function properly.
Currently, your best bet for reliable in-flight internet in North America is Hawaiian Airlines if your route works with their network. Among carriers with broader route networks, Spirit Airlines surprisingly offers the most consistent experience, though their aircraft lack many other premium amenities.
For travelers on legacy carriers, the connectivity experience varies considerably. Delta currently leads among the big three, but all three lag behind what Starlink-equipped aircraft deliver. The good news is that United’s planned Starlink deployment should substantially improve options for travelers later this year.
Amazing Miles Verdict
The arrival of Starlink technology represents a genuine inflection point for in-flight connectivity. Airlines that complete system installations will deliver internet experiences that finally match traveler expectations formed by ground-based broadband. Spirit Airlines deserves credit for delivering the best non-Starlink performance, particularly given their budget positioning. For business travelers who prioritize connectivity, checking which aircraft type and internet system operates your flight is becoming as important as seat selection. As more carriers complete Starlink deployments over the next year, the baseline in-flight internet experience should improve dramatically across the industry.
