British Airways has announced it will provide free onboard Wi-Fi fast enough to stream videos after its parent company signed an agreement with Elon Musk's Starlink. The airline said it will start rolling out the technology on flights from next year, as part of a '£7 billion transformation'.

Its owner, International Airlines Group, has reached a deal with Starlink to provide internet connectivity on more than 500 aircraft across its carriers. Starlink, which uses thousands of satellites orbiting Earth, is owned by Mr Musk's SpaceX aerospace company.

British Airways said passengers will have access to free Wi-Fi 'whichever cabin they're travelling in', and without needing a 'special login'. The airline currently offers limited Wi-Fi through its .air service on most of its aircraft.

This ranges from text-based messaging which is free to members of its loyalty club, to packages enabling passengers to 'stream music, video content and films', which costs between £4.99 and £21.99 depending on the duration.

Sean Doyle, British Airways' chief executive, said: "We're continuing to focus on transforming our customer experience. Launching Starlink on both our long-haul and short-haul aircraft is game-changing for us and our customers, elevating their experience on board our flights by offering them seamless connectivity from gate to gate.

"Especially on short-haul, this will really differentiate us from our competitors. With our new Wi-Fi powered by Starlink, our customers will be able to enjoy lightning-fast, low-lag internet from the moment they board to the moment they land - even over oceans and remote regions. It's Wi-Fi that feels like home, even at 38,000 feet."

The new Starlink partnership follows shortly after British Airways revealed a new transatlantic route last month. This route will connect London Heathrow to St Louis, a key city in Missouri located in the heart of the Midwest.

Renowned for its historic Gateway Arch and vibrant neighbourhoods, the UK airline believes St Louis has something for every traveller. Its flights to the city are scheduled to start on April 19 2026 and will operate four times a week during the summer months.

After the announcement, Neil Chernoff, British Airways' Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, said in October: "St. Louis is a fantastic addition to our US network - it's a destination in itself as a city with a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene, as well as a gateway to exciting destinations beyond this.

"As the only direct route from the UK, this service will open up exciting new opportunities for our customers and further strengthen ties between the UK and the US Midwest."

British Airways asserts it serves more American cities than any other UK airline, with St Louis set to be its 27th. This will make British Airways the only UK airline offering direct flights to St. Louis.