Southwest Airlines has announced that it will roll out Starlink Wi-Fi on its flights from summer 2026, promising passengers ultra-fast internet speeds of up to 250 Mbps. The carrier plans to equip more than 300 aircraft with the system by the end of that year.
Currently, Southwest's Wi-Fi costs $8 per device, with free access for Rapid Rewards loyalty members, but speeds vary widely from 20 Mbps to 150 Mbps. This often prevents passengers from streaming movies without buffering. Starlink's low Earth orbit satellite constellation, operating at around 350 miles altitude, will reduce lag and improve reliability in adverse weather.
Tony Roach, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer & Brand Officer at Southwest, stated: “We know our customers expect seamless connectivity across all their devices when they travel. Starlink delivers that at-home experience in the air.” The airline has not yet disclosed whether pricing will change for Starlink-equipped planes.
Southwest joins other US carriers adopting Starlink, including Alaska Airlines, which also plans installation in 2026, and United Airlines, which began fitting the system in May 2025.
