Aviation Pilots Challenge Starlink Over Steep Price Surge for In-flight Connectivity
General aviation pilots nationwide are expressing their discontent as Starlink introduces drastic alterations to its in-flight connectivity services. These changes have effectively made cockpit internet access unaffordable for many pilots.
The satellite internet provider has revamped its service packages, limiting standard Roam and Priority plans to a 100 mph (87 knots) ground speed. This speed falls short of the cruising speed of most piston and turboprop aircraft. Prior to these changes, pilots could avail these plans for approximately $50-65 per month, which included 100GB of data at speeds up to 450 mph.
Pilots who wish to maintain connectivity above 100 mph are now compelled to upgrade to aviation-specific tiers that come with a hefty price tag. The Aviation 300MPH plan is priced at $250 per month and includes only 20GB of data. Meanwhile, the Aviation 450MPH plan costs a staggering $1,000 per month. This translates to a price increase of up to 5x for substantially less data.
“A large number of general aviation operators worldwide have relied on Starlink as a tool to enhance safety. It’s unfortunate that the company has now priced out the majority of general aviation pilots,” stated Jim Coon, AOPA senior vice president of government affairs and advocacy.
An online petition is making rounds among pilots, urging Starlink to bring back roaming options suitable for general aviation speeds. A significant number of pilots are already terminating their subscriptions and switching back to traditional services like SiriusXM weather. They view this change as a major drawback for affordable aviation safety technology.
Source: https://avweb.com/aviation-news/pilots-petition-starlink-new-speed-tiers/