In February 2026, Southwest Airlines announced plans to introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi for Rapid Rewards members, which is of course an incredibly exciting passenger experience development. There’s now a positive update, as the first plane is now flying with the service, and we can expect a pretty quick rollout, with 300+ planes having Starlink by the end of the year.
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Southwest rapidly installing Starlink Wi-Fi fleetwide
Southwest Airlines is partnering with SpaceX, to introduce Starlink Wi-Fi throughout its fleet of Boeing 737s. The first Starlink equipped plane is now in service (it has the registration code N8543Z), so passengers are experiencing this on the airline for the first time.
The plan is to roll this out on more than 300 Boeing 737s by the end of 2026, and I’d assume that nearly all planes will have the service by the end of 2027. For what it’s worth, Southwest has a fleet of over 800 737s, with another 500+ on order.
Starlink is known for its high-speed, low-latency broadband internet, and the service is offered gate to gate. Starlink Wi-Fi allows for live streaming, productivity similar to on the ground (with high upload and download speeds), gaming, e-commerce, support for multiple devices, and more. I’ve now had several flights on Starlink equipped planes, and it really is a game changer.
Here’s how Southwest Airlines’ Chief Customer & Brand Officer, Tony Roach, describes this development:
“Starlink delivers a new era of inflight connectivity to Southwest. Starting with this first aircraft, we will be rapidly integrating Starlink into our fleet this year. This ultra-fast WiFi brings an at-home experience to the air and redefines how Customers can stay connected, be productive, and make the most of their time while flying at 35,000 feet.”
This is a very exciting development for Southwest
Southwest sure has come a long way in a short period of time when it comes to inflight connectivity. In October 2025, Southwest introduced free Wi-Fi for all Rapid Rewards members, basically matching the policies of JetBlue, Delta, and now American.
The catch is that other than Starlink, Southwest’s Wi-Fi setup is pretty underwhelming, with many planes having very outdated systems. While the airline has been installing Viasat in recent times, that’s only available on a minority of the fleet.
So to see Southwest moving to Starlink is a fantastic passenger experience improvement, as this will be way faster than what’s otherwise available on the airline.
Obviously a ton has changed about Southwest in recent times, as the airline has completely transformed its business model. From ditching open seating, to adding basic economy fares, to charging for checked bags, to introducing extra legroom economy, the airline is a lot more like the competition nowadays.
This is no doubt a positive passenger experience move, as travelers appreciate inflight connectivity, and it’s tough to beat fast and free connectivity. As I’ve said, I think ultra high speed Wi-Fi is something that air travelers will soon consistently expect, and the airlines that aren’t prioritizing that will be left behind, at least in terms of things like net promoter scores.
If we’re going to rank the overall initiatives we’re seeing at the “big four” US carriers in terms of rollout of next generation Wi-Fi, here’s how I see it:
- United is in first place, as the airline is rolling out Starlink rapidly, and already has it on 400+ planes, with plans to have it on 1,000 planes by the end of 2026
- Southwest is in second place, as the airline is starting to roll out Starlink, and should have 300+ planes with the service by the end of 2026, and the entire fleet with the service by the end of 2027
- American is in third place, as the airline plans to introduce Starlink Wi-Fi as of early 2027, though only on 500 planes
- Delta is in fourth place, as the airline plans to introduce Amazon Leo (a competitor to Starlink), though only as of 2028 best case scenario, and only on 500 planes
Bottom line
Southwest Airlines has started its rollout of free Starlink Wi-Fi, with the first Boeing 737 with the connectivity now in service, and the plan is to have 300+ planes with Starlink by the end of the year. You can’t beat Starlink for inflight connectivity, so this is great for Southwest passengers, especially given the carrier’s lackluster Wi-Fi situation up until now.
What do you make of Southwest Airlines adding free Starlink Wi-Fi?
About time. WN has lagged behind B6 and DL, in not offering either Free WiFi or IFE screens. Glad UA, AA, and now WN are finally catching up. C'mon AS, get with it! It's the mid-2020s, all commercial airlines can provide reliable amenities like these; they're just being cheap by delaying or denying consumers that better experience.
So an airline that already offers free wifi has changed providers and will now offer faster wifi?
I mean, if you constantly need super high speed internet, sure I guess this is nice, but usually on a flight, simply being able to use whatsapp is sufficient. Not sure that I would consider this a game changer.
I understand that many people consider it important, but I suspect the vast majority of people have...
So an airline that already offers free wifi has changed providers and will now offer faster wifi?
I mean, if you constantly need super high speed internet, sure I guess this is nice, but usually on a flight, simply being able to use whatsapp is sufficient. Not sure that I would consider this a game changer.
I understand that many people consider it important, but I suspect the vast majority of people have never taken, 'speed of free onboard wifi' into account when booking flight tickets.
Southwest is more premium than Delta. You'll have to wait until 2028/29 for reliable internet on Delta. What will come first for Delta - internet or new ATL lounge?
Viasat for 5 years, and sure, a little longer for whatever Bezos is doing, but still, DL (and B6) have had something, which is better than nothing.
as much as Ben wants to keep the industry pi8ong match going here on OMAAT, it is clear from the articles and discussions that the industry's direction has been driven by Delta with United following and not a single professional airline industry analyst would disagree.
American and Southwest have been lagging but both have seen dramatic increases in revenue and are upgrading their products and doing so faster than Delta or United.
United has...
as much as Ben wants to keep the industry pi8ong match going here on OMAAT, it is clear from the articles and discussions that the industry's direction has been driven by Delta with United following and not a single professional airline industry analyst would disagree.
American and Southwest have been lagging but both have seen dramatic increases in revenue and are upgrading their products and doing so faster than Delta or United.
United has more domestic network overlap with American and Southwest than Delta does. United laid out an aggressive growth strategy but it is increasingly falling apart as the FAA now has limits on the growth of ANY flights at United's hubs at EWR, ORD and SFO.
AA and WN's improvement in product is already driving revenue improvements that will substantially slow UA's ability to grow its domestic revenue.
We will find out how much each carrier grows RASM in a few weeks as 2nd quarter financials are reported but the sudden drop in fuel prices on the back of strong fare increases might turn 2026 into one of the best years financially for the US industry.
Meanwhile, DL has made it clear that it is going after UA's single most valuable asset - its TPAC network and its presence as the largest legacy carrier on the west coast.
Even specific to this discussion, we are coming up on 2 years since UA announced it was adding Starlink. It still has far less than half of its mainline fleet with Starlink. It will be over 3 years from announcement until full fleet rollout of Starlink on United.
In that time, AA, AS and WN have all announced extensive Starlink rollouts and the speed at which WN is moving means that UA will have less than half of even the Starlink equipped commercial aircraft in the US by the time UA finishes installation.
and, of course, Ben wants to pander for page clicks to the crowd that believes that Starlink will do what other WiFi systems haven't and can't do.
B6 and DL have had extensive free WIFI available for years; not a soul can provide data as to how much of a purchase driver or revenue benefit that amenity has been to those two carriers, let alone how much UA will benefit - if at all - given that it will be just one of 6 carriers with high speed free WiFI by the time Starlink rolls out.
Other systems continue to improve and DL is installing Hughes WiFI not just on its RJs but also on its 717s that it keeps but also A321NEOs and some A350s. We have yet to see how well that system does but even now there are AA B6 and DL customers that effortlessly connect and do all kinds of functions on Viasat WiFI.
The notion that the 6th player is going to gain an advantage to other airlines that have more exensive WiFi systems and have had it for longer is nothing more than a fantasy.
UA has made a huge splash and yet its opportunities are closing fast while competitive threats from ALL of AA, DL and WN are growing.
WN will take the title as most transformed airline of the 2020s and Starlink is just one step in them becoming just like the legacy carriers.
What are you talking about that the "industry's direction has been driven by Delta?" If so, we'd be waiting until 2028 or 2029 for usable internet across the industry. Everyone has beat Delta in internet. Even struggling American.
see above from Grey.
Unlike UA's paid internet rah-rah squad, the real world knows what airlines have and will have WiFi and what it is used for.
The notion that Starlink will transform booking patterns and revenue compared to other systems on other airlines is pure UA and Starlink advertising non-sense.
UA will complete its Starlink installation when more than 4000 commercial aircraft including RJs will have free high speed WIFI. Half of that...
see above from Grey.
Unlike UA's paid internet rah-rah squad, the real world knows what airlines have and will have WiFi and what it is used for.
The notion that Starlink will transform booking patterns and revenue compared to other systems on other airlines is pure UA and Starlink advertising non-sense.
UA will complete its Starlink installation when more than 4000 commercial aircraft including RJs will have free high speed WIFI. Half of that number will be on Starlink so UA won't even have the majority of Starlink equipped aircraft.
and, no, American beat UA when AA decided to turn on free high speed WiFI on its domestic Viasat equipped fleet.
AA still cannot offer full TATL or Latin America free WiFi coverage which DL can do.
Typical Tim: "not a soul can provide data as to how much of a purchase driver or revenue benefit that amenity has been to those two carriers, let alone how much UA will benefit - if at all..."
So as Tim would have it, the airline CEOs, who have to answer to their relative BODs and shareholders, and who have a significant majority of their personal compensation tied into the stock price of their airline...
Typical Tim: "not a soul can provide data as to how much of a purchase driver or revenue benefit that amenity has been to those two carriers, let alone how much UA will benefit - if at all..."
So as Tim would have it, the airline CEOs, who have to answer to their relative BODs and shareholders, and who have a significant majority of their personal compensation tied into the stock price of their airline (so they want to do anything and everything that will make it rise), and who have access to all of the (confidential) booking, pricing, and survey info within their company - decided that it's 100% worth the investment to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade in-flight Wifi.
Meanwhile, Tim furiously types away in his basement, because somehow HE is the only one who knows better than every other airline management team out thereA, and having better Wifi isn't a driver in customer retention and airline choice. And when challenged about any of his claims, Tim fires back with "provide the booking data!" - um, sure, as if any of us have access to the confidential data each airline has.
But, sure thing, Tim. You're the smartest guy in the room.
By the way, remind me - you pointed out we're coming up on 2 years since United announced going with Starlink, and are only now getting it on nearly 100 mainline aircraft. Stay with me here, and I'll keep it easy:
(United): "Announcement" >> (two years) >> "+/- 100 Mainline aircraft installations".
Delta announced in 2026 they are going with LEO. And installs won't start until 2028. So that looks like this:
(Delta): "Announcement" >> (two years) >> "Starts installations"
So what was your criticism again? And remember, Delta's timeframe only works IF the 1st-time "LEO on 350s" STC timeframe doesn't get pushed back, AND if the New Glenn rocket failure (and current grounding) doesn't hold up the LEO beta constellation completion.
Tim, we disagree on plenty, but on the WiFi topic, I'm still with you. DL has had it (along with B6) for a while; these other guys are finally catching up, and everyone's taking a cheap shot at you. It'd be like having no phones and skipping landlines for cellular, then mocking those who had land lanes. Ignore the haters. Celebrate the good things. Cheers, bud.
"Meanwhile, DL has made it clear that it is going after UA's single most valuable asset - its TPAC network and its presence as the largest legacy carrier on the west coast."
UA serves 4x as many destinations in the Asia/Pacific region as any other U.S. carrier. Not sure where DL is going to get 4x more WB gates to catch up, even if growth isn't limited to the "West Coast" and the growth includes...
"Meanwhile, DL has made it clear that it is going after UA's single most valuable asset - its TPAC network and its presence as the largest legacy carrier on the west coast."
UA serves 4x as many destinations in the Asia/Pacific region as any other U.S. carrier. Not sure where DL is going to get 4x more WB gates to catch up, even if growth isn't limited to the "West Coast" and the growth includes LAX, SEA, SLC, MSP, and DTW. Plus, UA isn't just staying stagnant. Lots of WB planes and more growth coming to UA, including the TPAC network, so DL would have to get more than 4x bigger in the TPAC market to pass UA.
"WN will take the title as most transformed airline of the 2020s and Starlink is just one step in them becoming just like the legacy carriers."
Most transformed, yes, because they completely abandoned their original business model to copy the legacy carriers' instead. But just like any legacy carrier? Not without any WB aircraft they won't be. And WB planes need WB gates, which WN has exactly zero. Maybe they will be more like one a decade from now, but not for anytime soon.
"industry's direction has been driven by Delta with United following AND NOT A SINGLE PROFESSIONAL AIRLINE INDUSTRY ANALYST WOULD DISAGREE." (emphasis added)
Name five. I'll wait.
Links to their articles agreeing with you would be nice, too.
For me, WiFi is not a "game changer" - just nice to have.
The most premium, way more premium than United
LOL. Call me when WN gets lie-flat.