Connecting between air and dream come true
Previously, one of the familiar rules when boarding a plane was to require passengers to switch to flight mode, temporarily cut off all communication and connect to the Internet throughout the flight. The reason given is to ensure aviation safety, avoiding noise interference with the plane's control equipment.
While some airlines have never provided Wi-Fi services on airplanes, the quality is often very low, the latency is high and the cost is expensive. This makes many people speculate that, once taken off, accessing the Internet is impossible or not worth trying.
However, the rapid emergence and development of satellite Internet technology, especially SpaceX's Starlink project, is completely changing the landscape. With thousands of satellites operating in low orbit around the Earth, Starlink offers high access speeds, low latency, and most importantly, global coverage - including areas previously considered "blind spots" for connection, such as between the ocean or in the sky. Modern flights are no longer the "black zone" of the Internet.
A clear demonstration is that US airline United has been testing Wi-Fi provided by Starlink, allowing passengers to connect right from the moment the plane was about to take off until landing.
The results are so positive that United Airways has decided to deploy them widely across its entire fleet. This not only makes the passenger experience more seamless but also raises the question: In the future, will the requirement to activate air personality mode be necessary?
The answer is becoming increasingly clear as satellite Internet technology continues to affirm its increasingly important role in the civil aviation industry. And not only limited to developed countries, this technology has also been and is starting to approach Vietnam.
Satellite Internet opens a new era
Satellite Internet is not a new concept, but in just the past few years, thanks to technological advances and large-scale deployment strategies, this model has truly become a reality with outstanding service quality.
In particular, Starlink - a project developed by SpaceX - is leading this revolution. With more than 7,000 satellites operating in low orbit and a target of reaching 30,000 satellites, Starlink creates a global coverage network, ensuring continuous connectivity for users everywhere, including in the air.
The advantage of Starlink lies in the low satellite position - orbit, significantly reducing signal generation latency compared to traditional geostationary satellite systems. This means that users can perform activities that require high speed and low latency such as video calling, online gaming, watching high-quality movies... while flying.
In a United Airlines test flight using Wi-Fi Starlink, the average download speed reached 128 Mbps, while the upload speed also reached nearly 24 Mbps - an astonishing number compared to traditional Wi-Fi systems on airplanes.
Another revolutionary factor is the Wi-Fi Starlink connection that works throughout the entire process from boarding a passenger to landing, no longer limited to an altitude of over 3,000 meters like old systems.
Thanks to that, passengers can maintain communication, work, and entertain without interruption. This not only improves the user experience but also creates a real real workspace in the air, when workers can completely handle work like in an office or at home.
Starlink has also been deployed on other airlines such as Hawaiian Airlines, JSX and is being further integrated by major airlines. United is one of the first airlines to commit to deploying the entire fleet with Wi-Fi provided by Starlink, from regional aircraft to wide-body aircraft. This proves that satellite Internet is no longer a science fiction technology but is truly becoming an indispensable part of the modern aviation industry.
As Internet connectivity becomes popular and reliable at high altitudes, the technical reason for maintaining aircraft mode is gradually becoming outdated. If devices can connect to the network safely without affecting the control system, then turning off mobile connections on the phone becomes unnecessary. Aviation safety regulations are gradually being reviewed, opening up a future where passengers can use their phones normally throughout flights.
Vietnam is not out of the satellite Internet development roadmap
Not stopping outside the trend of global technology development, Vietnam has officially granted the decision to pilot the provision of Starlink satellite Internet service to SpaceX in April 2025.
This is an important milestone, showing that the Vietnamese Government clearly recognizes the potential of this technology in expanding digital connectivity, especially in remote areas, where traditional telecommunications infrastructure is facing many difficulties.
The pilot period lasts for 5 years, ending in early 2031, with a maximum number of subscribers of 600,000. During this time, SpaceX will have to comply with strict requirements on security, defense and engineering.
However, the decision to grant a pilot license has paved the way for the practical implementation of satellite Internet services in Vietnam - from household use to more complex applications such as connecting on mobile vehicles, ships, and especially airplanes.
One of the notable steps is that Vietjet airline is negotiating cooperation with SpaceX to deploy the internet on the entire fleet of the airline. With hundreds of aircraft operating and many plans in the future, Vietjet clearly saw the potential of high-speed Wi-Fi equipment for passengers. In the context that the aviation industry is recovering strongly and the demand for connection is constantly increasing, this may become a significant competitive advantage.
This cooperation not only benefits passengers but is also in line with the national digital transformation strategy that the Vietnamese Government is promoting. Satellite Internet will help shorten the digital gap between regions, promote distance education, digital healthcare, e-government, and many other public services. In particular, in border areas and islands where infrastructure is weak, Starlink can be the optimal solution to ensure stable connectivity.
SpaceX's desire to invest 1.5 billion USD in Vietnam shows the importance of this market in their global expansion strategy. With the first steps started, it is very likely that in the near future, Vietnamese passengers will be able to board the plane, connect to high-speed Wi-Fi from Starlink, and work and entertain throughout the journey - without having to turn on the plane mode as before.
The change not only has technological significance but also marks a change in thinking and standards in the aviation industry. When regulations are updated to suit new technology practices, eliminating aircraft mode will no longer be a distant prospect. And Vietnam, by proactively approaching and taking the lead in technology, is showing that it is completely ready for that transformation.
