Southwest Airlines partners with Starlink for faster in-flight WiFi

The airline plans to integrate Starlink to its fleets starting this summer and hopes to have it available in more than 300 aircraft by the end of 2026.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Southwest Airlines has announced a partnership with Starlink, the satellite internet service created by SpaceX, to offer faster in-flight WiFi to passengers across eleven countries. The airline plans to begin integrating Starlink into its fleets starting this summer and aims to have the service available in over 300 aircraft by the end of 2026.

Why it matters

This move by Southwest Airlines is part of a broader trend of airlines upgrading their in-flight connectivity offerings to meet the growing demand from passengers for seamless, high-speed internet access during flights. Starlink's satellite-based technology promises to deliver faster and more reliable internet speeds compared to traditional in-flight WiFi systems.

The details

Southwest says the Starlink integration will give its customers the ability to stream their favorite shows, watch live sports, download music, play games, work, and connect with loved ones from takeoff to landing. Starlink is a constellation of over 9,000 satellites that orbit close to the Earth, offering speedier and more reliable internet access compared to traditional satellite-based systems.

  • Southwest plans to begin integrating Starlink into its fleets starting this summer.
  • The airline hopes to have Starlink available in more than 300 aircraft by the end of 2026.

The players

Southwest Airlines

A major American airline that operates flights across the United States and to several international destinations.

Starlink

A satellite internet service created by SpaceX, Elon Musk's aerospace company, that promises faster and more reliable internet access compared to traditional satellite-based systems.

Tony Roach

Executive Vice President and Chief Customer & Brand Officer at Southwest Airlines.

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What they’re saying

“'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. 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.'”

— Tony Roach, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer & Brand Officer at Southwest Airlines (wfaa.com)

What’s next

Southwest plans to begin integrating Starlink into its fleets starting this summer, with the goal of having the service available in more than 300 aircraft by the end of 2026.

The takeaway

This partnership between Southwest Airlines and Starlink is a significant step forward in improving the in-flight connectivity experience for passengers, as airlines continue to invest in upgrading their WiFi offerings to meet the growing demand for high-speed internet access during flights.