Aviation Community Outraged Over Starlink’s Drastic Price Increase
General aviation pilots are voicing their discontent after Starlink unexpectedly altered its in-flight internet service. The company has imposed a 100 mph speed limit on its previously affordable standard plans. These changes, which came into effect in early March 2026, have pushed most aircraft operators into significantly pricier aviation-specific tiers.
Before these changes, pilots had the option to use standard Roam or Priority plans for approximately $50-$165 per month. These plans offered reasonable data allowances at speeds of up to 450 mph. However, Starlink has now limited the standard Roam and Priority plans to a 100 mph (87 knots) ground speed. This speed is slower than many aircraft’s cruising speeds. Pilots requiring in-flight connectivity above this speed limit must now subscribe to the new aviation tiers: Aviation 300MPH and Aviation 450MPH. These plans are priced at $250 and $1,000 per month respectively, with the former offering only 20 GB of data.
An online petition is currently circulating among the pilot community, gathering thousands of signatures. The petition is a plea to Starlink to reinstate roaming options that are suitable for general aviation. The petitioners argue that the changes equate to a fivefold cost increase, while providing less than half the data. The pilots emphasize the importance of real-time weather updates and airport safety information for flight safety, not just for convenience. The general aviation community views these changes as a “bait and switch” tactic, especially after many had invested in hardware expecting the service to remain viable.