Virgin Atlantic to Upgrade 787 Fleet with Boeing High-Speed Wi-Fi System
by Clarence Oxford
London, UK (SPX) Oct 16, 2025

Boeing and Virgin Atlantic will equip the airline's fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners with high-speed, streaming-quality Wi-Fi under a new connectivity modification agreement announced during MRO Europe on October 15. The upgrade will enable passengers to enjoy a more seamless internet experience while in flight.

Virgin Atlantic's Chief Customer and Operating Officer Corneel Koster said the partnership with Boeing marks a key step in enhancing the onboard experience. "Partnering with Boeing to bring Starlink's next-generation connectivity to our 787 fleet is another important step in creating a 'home away from home' experience for every customer," Koster said. "Together, we're transforming how our customers stay connected in the skies - with low latency, super high speed Wi-Fi, better than what most customers experience on the ground to make flying on Virgin Atlantic even more of a joy."

Boeing will implement a new antenna fairing designed to house Electronically Steered Phased Array (ESA) antennas. The unit, known as the Boeing Aerodynamic Shroud, will support Low Earth Orbit and multi-orbit satellite communications, forming the basis for consistent high-bandwidth connectivity across the fleet.

"We're witnessing rapid advances in satellite and antenna technology, and we're proud to provide our OEM-backed engineering expertise and hardware that will enable Virgin Atlantic to bring faster, more reliable connectivity to their 787 Dreamliner fleet," said Doug Backhus, vice president of Cabin, Modifications and Maintenance for Boeing Global Services.

Related Links
Boeing
VSAT News - Suppliers, Technology And Applications