Southwest Starlink – Southwest Airlines’ first Starlink-equipped aircraft—a Boeing 737-800—will enter service by the end of June, joining a growing list of U.S. carriers moving toward high-speed inflight Wi-Fi. The rollout is also arriving as Southwest shifts its onboard experienc
By the end of June, Southwest travelers may notice a change before the plane even leaves the gate. The airline is moving toward high-speed inflight Wi-Fi powered by Starlink. and Tony Roach. Southwest Chief Customer and Brand Officer. said the first aircraft equipped with the service—a Boeing 737-800—will enter service by the end of June.
Southwest’s Starlink Wi-Fi will be free and described as “ultra-fast.” Roach also told the audience at an industry conference in Brazil at the International Air Transport Association’s general meeting that the airline has the capability to reach up to 300 aircraft by the end of the year. In his words. the timing will be driven by when “we can get the kits. ” not by Southwest’s ability to install the equipment.
The shift is arriving only months after Southwest made its existing on-board internet free for all members of its Rapid Rewards loyalty program.
Southwest is not alone. A growing number of U.S. airlines are already offering Starlink connectivity, including Alaska Airlines and its brand Hawaiian Airlines, boutique carrier JSX, and United Airlines. American Airlines has announced plans to add inflight Wi-Fi service to its Airbus jets beginning in 2027.
For Southwest, the point is speed—and the passenger expectation that comes with it. “We have the capability to get to up to 300 [planes] by the end of the year. but. at this point in time. it’s more of the pacing on Starlink — when we can get the kits — we’ll be putting them on the aircraft. ” Roach said Saturday. Andrew Watterson, Southwest’s chief operating officer, added that the standard for inflight Wi-Fi has changed. “We have the capability to get to up to 300 [planes] by the end of the year but. at this point in time. it’s more of the pacing on Starlink — when we can get the kits — we’ll be putting them on the aircraft. ” Roach said Saturday at the International Air Transport Association’s general meeting in Brazil.
“The bar now is customers want very fast Wi-Fi,” Watterson said. “Starlink has set the bar for how fast WiFi should be on an aircraft, so you must meet that bar.”
The race for connectivity matters because so many flights are being judged by whether they deliver usable internet. “The number of ‘dark’ flights — or ones without Wi-Fi — is rapidly shrinking,” the report noted, as travelers now expect connectivity options while they’re in the air.
Southwest’s Starlink debut is landing during a broader moment of change at the Dallas-based carrier. Earlier this year, the airline dropped its long-standing open seating policy in favor of assigned seats. At the same time, it introduced its first premium-light product: extra legroom seats. Last year, it began charging for checked bags.
CEO Bob Jordan has also repeatedly said Southwest is studying adding intercontinental routes. a network of airport lounges. and a U.S. domestic first class product. While the Starlink plan for some aircraft is clearer—Southwest confirmed plans to upgrade Starlink to some 300 planes—the airline has not announced how it will upgrade the technology across the rest of its 800-aircraft fleet.
Roach described the current approach to high-speed Wi-Fi as “exploratory.” “We’re exploring different vendors that provide that type of experience,” he said.
In the competition for faster inflight service, Starlink’s primary competitor is Amazon Leo. In March, Delta Air Lines unveiled a deal to equip 500 aircraft with the Amazon product. JetBlue is also adding Amazon’s tech to some of its jets.
Southwest’s current inflight connectivity providers are Anuvu and Viasat. Planes equipped with Anuvu’s older technology are prioritized for Starlink installations.
Southwest Airlines Starlink Wi-Fi inflight internet Tony Roach Rapid Rewards Boeing 737-800 Alaska Airlines Hawaiian Airlines JSX United Airlines American Airlines Amazon Leo Anuvu Viasat IATA general meeting
Free Starlink Wi-Fi on Southwest? Finally, maybe my Netflix won’t buffer mid-flight.
Wait so it’s “ultra-fast” but they can only put it on some planes by end of June?? Sounds like half the fleet gets it and the rest is still the same slow stuff. Also Starlink is already everywhere so why is this taking months.
Starlink kits… like they’re building the Wi-Fi in the hangar or something. I don’t get it, satellite internet should already work on planes if it works on phones. Maybe they’re just saying June to look good.
I swear airlines promise “free” Wi-Fi and then it’s only free if you sign up for some portal or watch ads or whatever. Plus 300 aircraft by end of year sounds crazy, like good luck installing kits when they’re still waiting on delivery. I’ll believe it when I’m actually on the plane and it loads.