El Al Adds airBaltic Codeshare, Plans Free Starlink by 2027

Expanding the Northern European Network

El Al Israel Airlines (LY) announced a new codeshare agreement with Latvian flag carrier airBaltic (BT) on Monday, aiming to bolster its El Al European network. The partnership, which officially takes effect for flights departing on or after July 1, 2026, allows the Israeli carrier to sell seats on airBaltic flights connecting through the Riga hub. This strategic move provides passengers with seamless access to key Nordic and Baltic destinations, including Stockholm, Vilnius, Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Tallinn. According to airBaltic corporate releases, the agreement is designed to strengthen Riga's position as a transit gateway between Israel and Northern Europe.

Impact on Frequent Flyers and Bookings

For members of the Matmid Frequent Flyer program, the codeshare offers expanded opportunities to earn status diamonds and points. However, these benefits are strictly limited to tickets booked on El Al ticket stock, identifiable by the 114 IATA airline accounting code prefix. The airline currently maintains an extensive portfolio of partnerships, including 16 global codeshare agreements and five specific-location deals with carriers such as KLM, Air France, and Iberia. This network strategy is increasingly vital as Middle Eastern carriers leverage European partnerships to maintain connectivity amid regional airspace complexities.

Upgrading to LEO Satellite Connectivity

In a concurrent announcement, El Al confirmed that it will equip its fleet with Starlink aviation internet starting in 2027. The service will be offered to passengers free of charge, marking a significant shift toward Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology. This transition follows a broader industry trend where airlines are abandoning legacy Geostationary (GEO) in-flight Wi-Fi systems in favor of LEO constellations, which offer lower latency and higher bandwidth. According to Starlink Aviation's official page, the system is capable of supporting high-speed streaming for all passengers simultaneously.

Starlink vs. Traditional GEO In-Flight Wi-Fi

The Regulatory and Technical Roadmap

Integrating this technology requires a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from aviation authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI). This regulatory process ensures that the physical installation of radomes and antenna equipment meets strict safety standards for the existing Boeing fleet. While legacy connectivity providers have argued that multi-orbit networks offer better reliability in congested hubs, the industry trajectory remains heavily skewed toward LEO adoption. Historical precedents, such as Hawaiian Airlines' deployment in 2024 and Qatar Airways' fleet-wide rollout, demonstrate that passengers increasingly view high-speed, free connectivity as a baseline requirement for long-haul travel.

Why This Matters for Connectivity

For airBaltic, the codeshare gains increased passenger feed from Tel Aviv into its Riga hub, which helps stabilize load factors on Northern European routes. Conversely, for the airline industry, El Al's commitment to free, high-speed internet signals a permanent shift in the competitive landscape for passenger experience. As legacy in-flight connectivity providers face displacement, the focus shifts toward how airlines will monetize the passenger experience once high-speed data becomes a commodity rather than a premium service. For travelers, the partnership and technology upgrades represent a significant expansion of both reach and onboard utility starting in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Further information on network updates can be found via the airBaltic Corporate Newsroom.