In this article
What did Textron announce on September 8?
Textron Aviation said its North American service centers and select international centers can install the Starlink Aviation Performance Kit on eligible Hawker aircraft. The company linked that availability to an FAA supplemental type certificate obtained by engineering firm AeroMech. Textron Aviation ↗
The distinction is important: an approved installation pathway is not a fleetwide retrofit. Owners and operators must still choose the upgrade, schedule the work and maintain an active service arrangement. A model name alone therefore cannot establish whether the aircraft offered for a charter has Starlink.
Which Hawker models are listed as eligible?
Textron’s current upgrade page lists six Hawker variants. The list describes installation eligibility through its service network, not the equipment status of an individual airplane. Textron Aviation ↗
| Hawker model | What the current listing means | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| Hawker 700 | Textron lists a Starlink upgrade option. | That every Hawker 700 is equipped or active. |
| Hawker 750 | Textron lists a Starlink upgrade option. | That a charter quote includes the service. |
| Hawker 800 | Textron lists a Starlink upgrade option. | That a specific aircraft has completed installation. |
| Hawker 800XP | Textron lists a Starlink upgrade option. | That all 800XP aircraft have identical connectivity. |
| Hawker 850XP | Textron lists a Starlink upgrade option. | That coverage or speed is guaranteed on a route. |
| Hawker 900XP | Textron lists a Starlink upgrade option. | That a substitute aircraft will have the same system. |
If you are comparing the aircraft itself, our Hawker 800XP charter guide covers cabin, range and trip-fit questions. Treat connectivity as a separate, aircraft-specific specification.
What performance does Textron claim?
Textron says the kit can provide download speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, upload speeds of up to 100 megabits per second and latency as low as 20 milliseconds. It describes uses including streaming, video calls and gaming. Those are manufacturer and service-provider capability claims, not a guaranteed result for every device, route or flight. Textron Aviation ↗
Actual passenger experience may depend on the installed hardware, active service plan, satellite coverage, network conditions, cabin network setup, the number of connected devices and the operator’s policies. This is our practical inference from the fact that installation eligibility and quoted maximum capability do not establish trip-specific service.
What should a charter passenger ask before booking?
Ask about the airplane being offered—not only the aircraft category. The most useful answer identifies a specific tail and confirms the amenity in writing. Use these questions before treating Starlink as part of the purchase:
- What is the registration, or tail number, of the aircraft currently assigned to the trip?
- Is Starlink hardware installed on that aircraft, and will the subscription be active for our flight?
- Is cabin internet included in the quoted price, or is there a separate fee, data rule or acceptable-use policy?
- Does the cabin Wi-Fi support the work or streaming use we need, and are any devices or services restricted?
- What happens if the operator substitutes an aircraft without comparable connectivity?
- Who should passengers contact if the network is unavailable before departure or fails in flight?
A broker can request the feature, but the operator and assigned aircraft determine what is actually installed and available. Our private jet booking checklist explains the other aircraft, operator, pricing and cancellation details to confirm at the same time.
How should a connectivity requirement appear in the agreement?
If internet access is important, place the requirement in the written quote or charter agreement and review the substitution clause. “Wi-Fi requested” is less precise than identifying Starlink or an agreed minimum capability on the assigned aircraft and stating what happens if it changes.
| Write down | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Assigned aircraft or minimum accepted equipment | Connects the amenity to an aircraft rather than a general fleet description. |
| Installed and active service | Separates physical hardware from a usable subscription and cabin network. |
| Included charges and usage rules | Avoids assuming that access, streaming or multiple devices are included. |
| Substitution treatment | Defines the response if the replacement aircraft lacks the requested connectivity. |
| Operational limitation | Recognizes that no provider can promise uninterrupted service in every circumstance. |
For a mission-critical meeting, keep a backup plan such as downloadable documents or an alternate communication method. A connectivity specification can improve accountability, but it cannot eliminate technical or coverage interruptions.
What does this change for Hawker charter customers?
The announcement expands the potential for modern satellite internet on an established midsize-aircraft family. It may make an upgraded Hawker more attractive to travelers who want to work or communicate in flight, but the benefit exists only on aircraft that have actually completed the upgrade and have usable service.
Compare the exact aircraft, written connectivity terms and complete charter proposal. Do not infer Starlink from “Hawker 800XP,” a generic fleet page or the September 8 installation announcement.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Hawker private jet now have Starlink?
No. Textron announced that installation is available for eligible Hawker models. Each owner or operator must elect and complete the upgrade; verify the specific aircraft before booking.
Which Hawker models can receive the Textron Starlink upgrade?
Textron’s current page lists the Hawker 700, 750, 800, 800XP, 850XP and 900XP. Eligibility does not establish that an individual aircraft is equipped. Textron Aviation ↗
Is 1 Gbps guaranteed on a Hawker charter?
No. Textron describes download performance of up to 1 Gbps, not a guaranteed passenger speed on every flight. Obtain the aircraft-specific terms and keep a backup for critical work. Textron Aviation ↗
Can a charter passenger request an aircraft with Starlink?
Yes, a passenger or broker can request it. Ask for the exact aircraft registration and written confirmation that Starlink is installed, active and included; availability depends on the proposed trip and aircraft.
What if the operator substitutes a Hawker without Starlink?
The outcome depends on the agreement. Before signing, clarify whether comparable connectivity is required and what remedy, rebooking option or acceptance decision applies if the aircraft changes.
Sources & research
Published and checked October 12, 2026. The September 8 announcement, FAA supplemental type certificate context, installation-network description and performance figures are attributed to Textron Aviation. The eligible model list comes from Textron’s current upgrade page. Neither source identifies every aircraft that has completed installation, and we did not inspect an aircraft or test the service. Booking and contract questions are our editorial guidance, not a connectivity guarantee or legal advice. The image is a conceptual AI-generated illustration, not a documentary photograph or model-specific rendering. This article contains no affiliate booking links; linked guides may contain disclosed affiliate links.
- Textron Aviation — Hawker operators gain access to high-speed Starlink connectivity through Textron Aviation Customer Support network — September 8, 2026 ↗
- Textron Aviation — Starlink high-speed internet connectivity upgrade for Hawker aircraft ↗