Latest news with #Starlink-powered
Daily Tribune
3 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Norwegian Cruise Line Offers GCC Travelers a Relaxed, Authentic Way to Explore Europe
As European summer travel becomes more crowded and expensive, Norwegian Cruise Line® (NCL) is offering a refreshing alternative — a more relaxed, flexible, and value-packed way to experience Europe through its cruise itineraries. Recognized as the Middle East's Leading Cruise Line for three years in a row, NCL is seeing a growing trend among GCC travelers who are choosing to explore Europe during the quieter "shoulder seasons" — spring and early autumn. These months offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and a more authentic experience in Europe's most iconic destinations. Instead of rushing through busy airports and crowded city centers, NCL passengers can enjoy a calm and immersive journey across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, all while unpacking just once. In 2025 and 2026, the cruise line will offer more than 160 voyages during the shoulder season, with trips lasting from 7 to 15 days and stopping in breathtaking ports across Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, Norway, Iceland, and more. Passengers can embark from popular European cities like Athens, Barcelona, Rome, and Lisbon, with itineraries featuring longer port stays — including overnight stops in destinations like Istanbul. These extended visits give travelers time to soak in golden sunsets in Santorini, wander through Tuscany's rolling countryside, or uncover hidden gems without the pressure of tight schedules. NCL's 'More' Philosophy: Travel That Feels Personal At the core of Norwegian Cruise Line's offering is a promise to give guests more of what they value: More freedom and space onboard – Whether it's starting the day with a spa treatment, enjoying open-air dining, or racing go-karts on deck, guests can shape their own pace. More dining and entertainment options – With no fixed schedules, passengers can enjoy modern global cuisine, live music, and some of the best entertainment at sea, all on their own terms. More time in port – Longer stops mean deeper cultural experiences and time to truly connect with each destination. More value – With the new More At Sea™ upgrade, travelers can enjoy perks like specialty dining, unlimited open bar, Starlink-powered high-speed Wi-Fi, and more — all included. With its unique approach, NCL is making European travel not just easier, but more meaningful — inviting GCC travelers to explore at their own pace, on their own terms.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
United Airlines disables Starlink on jets after cockpit-radio disruptions
The Brief United Airlines grounded Starlink WiFi on Embraer E175 jets due to cockpit radio interference. Pilots reported static while communicating with air traffic control after Starlink antennae were installed. United and SpaceX say the issue is minor and expect service to resume after testing. LOS ANGELES - Pilots aboard some United Airlines regional jets experienced a surprising form of turbulence recently — radio static tied to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, United has temporarily disabled Starlink-powered Wi-Fi on its Embraer E175 aircraft after pilots experienced interference while communicating with air traffic control. Though the airline says the issue was not considered a safety risk, the static was traced back to newly installed Starlink antennae. United is now working with SpaceX to investigate and resolve the issue, which may delay the rollout of the high-speed satellite internet system on more aircraft. What we know Initial findings offer a limited but telling view of the issue, which appears to be directly tied to Starlink's recent onboard installation and its interaction with cockpit radio systems. Roughly two dozen United Embraer E175 jets had been outfitted with Starlink equipment. Pilots began experiencing static during radio transmissions, prompting a pause in service. United issued a statement calling the issue "fairly common" with new Wi-Fi installations. The Points Guy first reported the shutdown, citing internal memos and a public statement. Starlink service remains suspended on the affected aircraft as tests continue. What we don't know Despite the swift pause in service, key questions remain about the scope of the interference and whether it could pose broader challenges as Starlink expands in commercial aviation. Whether the static interference could escalate under different flight conditions. How quickly the issue can be resolved and Starlink Wi-Fi restored. Whether other airlines using Starlink have experienced similar communication issues. The backstory Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has rapidly expanded its presence in commercial aviation, marketing itself as a faster, more consistent alternative to traditional inflight Wi-Fi systems. The company has already signed deals with several airlines and boasts global coverage through its low-Earth orbit satellite network. But its rollout hasn't been entirely smooth. While high-speed connections are appealing to travelers, compatibility with sensitive cockpit electronics is now under scrutiny after this United incident. What they're saying "United and Starlink teams are working together to address a small number of reports of static interference during the operation of the Wi-Fi system," the airline said in a statement published by The Points Guy. "This is fairly common with any new airline Wi-Fi provider. We expect the service to be back up and running on these aircraft soon." Neither the FAA nor SpaceX has commented publicly on the issue, though both are expected to weigh in if additional safety testing is required. Big picture view This isn't just about in-flight Wi-Fi. The incident highlights how deeply Elon Musk's businesses are embedded in critical infrastructure — from internet satellites to rockets transporting astronauts to the ISS. It also comes at a time when confidence in air travel safety is already shaky due to aircraft malfunctions and staffing shortages in U.S. aviation. What's next United and SpaceX are expected to release an update after reviewing the interference issue. In the meantime, the airline has halted the Starlink rollout on additional aircraft. If the problem persists, it could spark wider industry concern — not only about in-flight internet safety, but about how much of the travel and tech ecosystem now depends on Musk's companies. The Source This report draws primarily from The Wall Street Journal, which first linked Starlink equipment to radio interference aboard United regional jets. Additional details were provided by The Points Guy, which obtained and published United Airlines' public statement. No FAA or SpaceX statements have been issued as of publication.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX sends up more Starlink satellites
May 14 (UPI) -- SpaceX on Wednesday launched more than two dozen Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit in the company's continuing quest to expand global Internet access. The liftoff took place at about 12:38 p.m. local time at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted up 28 Starlink satellites in what was the first-stage booster's fourth launch. Starlink's growing cluster of orbiting satellites provides low-latency, high-speed Internet worldwide. Wednesday launch came after Tuesday's successful SpaceX launch of an additional 28 other Starlink capsules from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Also, news came out this week that United Airlines will launch Starlink-powered Wi-Fi on its select flights starting Thursday after United's announcement of the deal in January. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's SpaceX is reportedly on the verge of launching Starship, the world's largest rocket, in its effort to ultimately get to the moon and, ultimately, Mars. But any launch would come after a failed launch bid in March.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
T-Mobile's Starlink beta is free for all, including Verizon and AT&T customers
T-Mobile's Starlink Direct-to-Cell beta is now open to everyone in the US, including Verizon and AT&T customers. This expands access from its initial limited rollout to T-Mobile subscribers and Pixel 9 users. The service works with most smartphones from the last four years, automatically connecting when out of cell tower range. The service is free to try out until July. Post July, T-Mobile users on Go5G plans will enjoy continued free access, while other T-Mobile plan holders can add it for $15/month. Verizon and AT&T customers can continue using the service for $20/month after the trial. T-Mobile began accepting early beta applications for its Starlink-powered direct-to-cell service back in December. The beta started opening up for T-Mobile Pixel 9 users late in January, and now, as part of a surprising Super Bowl commercial, the carrier giant has announced that it is opening up Direct-to-Cell for "absolutely everyone" in the US. That includes Verizon and AT&T customers too. Previously limited to T-Mobile customers with a postpaid voice plan and/or those with business and first responder accounts, the service is now accessible to all, and it isn't exclusive to some flagship devices (via GSMArena). The service "works on most smartphones from the last four years," wrote T-Mobile, indicating that your phone doesn't likely need dedicated satellite connectivity support to be able to gain direct-to-cell functionality. Starlink, on the other hand, suggests that the service should work just fine on all existing LTE phones in areas where you can see the sky. Those who join the beta now will unlock direct-to-cell texting, complete with group text and reaction support. Data and voice calls are reportedly coming later this year. Additionally, the beta will also unlock access to Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) for all enrolled users when they're in a coverage dead zone. The beauty of the service is its simplicity: users don't need to do anything out of the ordinary. When a user's cell phone gets out of range of a cell tower, the phone automatically connects to the T-Mobile Starlink network. No need to manually connect. The beta service is currently free for all until July, after which, T-Mobile Starlink will only be free for T-Mobile's Go5G plans, including the Go5G Business Next plan for business customers and for first responder agencies on T-Priority plans. Other T-Mobile plan holders will be able to add the direct-to-cell service as an add-on for $15 per month, per line. If you think you're going to utilize the service, registering within the month of February can help you secure the add-on $10 per month, per line, as part of an 'Early Adopter Discount.' Lastly, those on AT&T and Verizon's networks will be able to continue enjoying direct-to-cell post July, but only after shelling out $20 per month, per line for the add-on. For what it's worth, Verizon customers might want to hold off paying the premium fee, considering that the New York City-based carrier is also working on satellite connectivity solutions alongside Skylo — expected to debut sometime this fall. AT&T, on the other hand, is working with AST SpaceMobile, but the scale of its progress is currently unclear. If you're looking to register, note that the carrier has a beta registration website for consumers, and a separate one for businesses, and first responder agencies. T-Life T-Mobile USA LIFESTYLE Price: Free 4.7 Download
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SpaceX Expands Starlink In-Flight Wi-Fi to 500 Planes
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. SpaceX is seeing major progress in making Starlink an in-flight perk, officially installing the satellite internet system on 500 planes. SpaceX began integrating Starlink in commercial planes in spring 2022 and announced its latest milestone this week. "500 planes and more every day," SpaceX VP for Starlink Engineering Michael Nicolls tweeted. This is a huge increase from the end of 2023, when Starlink was installed and used on about 80 aircraft, with another 400 planes on contract to receive the satellite internet. A year later, the company increased that to 450 aircraft, with over 2,000 additional planes in line to receive the satellite internet, according to SpaceX's annual progress report for 2024. Starlink is often faster than other in-flight Wi-Fi services, with download speeds ranging from 40 to 220Mbps for passengers, according to SpaceX. On a March 2023 test flight with regional carrier JSX, PCMag found that Starlink downloads averaged 126Mbps, with uploads at 7.6Mbps. More Americans will also start encountering Starlink on their flights this year. United Airlines plans to install it on hundreds of passenger jets before the end of the year and start rolling out Starlink-powered in-flight Wi-Fi this spring. Starlink is also coming to Hawaiian Airlines—which has merged with Alaska Airlines—Qatar Airlines, Air France, and Scandinavian Airlines, among others. An FAQ from SpaceX adds that Starlink equipment currently supports two Airbus and two Boeing aircraft models, including the 737 and 777, in addition to several smaller passenger jets. For airlines, the Starlink equipment isn't cheap. In the past, the company charged $150,000 to install a dish on a plane and $10,000 per month to receive unlimited internet data. SpaceX also supports customers using its Starlink Mini dish on small planes. But the company notes: "This use of Starlink Mini has not been certified or otherwise approved by the FAA or any other civil aviation authority."
