Air Astana operated its first flight equipped with high-speed satellite internet on October 29, 2026, on the Almaty-Tashkent route, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.

The high-speed Wi-Fi system has been installed on an Airbus A321LR aircraft with registration number EI-KGB, The Caspian Post reports, citing the ministry.

The project is being implemented in partnership with SES, an international satellite communications provider. Air Astana’s technical specialists carried out the installation at the airline’s maintenance facility.

Last year, the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development announced plans to expand internet access to trains and aircraft. Satellite internet is already available on trains in Kazakhstan, and the service is now being introduced on commercial flights.

Given Kazakhstan’s vast territory and long travel distances, reliable internet connectivity is particularly important, enabling passengers to stay in touch with family members and colleagues and access digital services throughout their journeys.

The initiative is part of the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, declared by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. It also reflects his broader vision of transforming Kazakhstan into a digital nation by extending connectivity to areas where internet access was previously unavailable.

The launch of in-flight internet follows extensive cooperation between the ministry, international satellite operators, regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders. The work included negotiations, agreements on operating conditions and the development of the necessary regulatory framework.

The ministry also worked on legislative amendments and regulations governing non-geostationary satellite systems. Special provisions were introduced for aviation and maritime transport to remove regulatory barriers, while agreements were reached with operators to ensure compliance with Kazakhstan’s legislation, including security requirements.

These efforts have laid the groundwork for expanding satellite connectivity across the transport sector and into remote and hard-to-reach areas of Kazakhstan.

All passengers will have free internet access during a promotional period running until January 31, 2027.

From February 1, 2027, free Wi-Fi will be available to business-class passengers and Nomad Club Gold and Diamond members. Members across all Nomad Club tiers will also have free access to messaging services, while other passengers will be able to purchase internet packages.

Air Astana plans to continue rolling out high-speed Wi-Fi across its Airbus A321LR fleet in phases throughout 2027.