According to Sawyer Merritt on Twitter, a SpaceX executive stated that the Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi offering will ultimately be free for users, despite implementation varying by airline brand. This aligns with the broader trend of monetizing free internet services through data-driven business models, powered by AI for targeted advertising, passenger analytics, and ancillary revenue streams. The move reflects a growing opportunity for AI-powered personalization and service optimization in the airline industry, enabling carriers to leverage advanced analytics and machine learning to enhance customer experience and maximize profitability (source: Sawyer Merritt, Twitter, Jan 9, 2026).