Southwest on Wednesday became the latest airline to partner with Starlink for satellite-based wireless internet service.
The carrier said Starlink technology will be integrated “rapidly,” with the first connected aircraft entering service this summer. Starlink will be enabled on over 300 Southwest aircraft by the end of 2026, officials added.
“Free WiFi has been a huge hit with our Rapid Rewards members, and we know our customers expect seamless connectivity across all their devices when they travel,” Tony Roach, Southwest’s executive vice president and chief customer and brand officer, said in a news release. “Starlink delivers that at-home experience in the air, giving customers the ability to stream their favorite shows from any platform, watch live sports, download music, play games, work, and connect with loved ones from takeoff to landing.”
Southwest currently offers free wireless internet to loyalty members via T-Mobile.
Starlink, which uses a constellation of around 9,000 low-Earth-orbit satellites, offers much faster internet speeds than standard onboard WiFi.
A number of carriers have signed deals with Starlink over the last two years, including United, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Air France.
