Southwest Airlines has operated its first commercial flight equipped with Starlink high-speed internet, marking a major step in the airline's plans to upgrade onboard connectivity.
The first Starlink-enabled aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 carrying registration N8543Z, completed its inaugural flight on June 22 between Dallas Love Field and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The aircraft is an eight-year-old Boeing 737-800 that has been retrofitted with the satellite internet system.
The airline had announced its partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX earlier this year and plans to expand the service across its fleet.
Faster internet in the skies
Starlink uses a network of low-earth orbit satellites to provide internet connectivity with lower latency and faster speeds than traditional in-flight WiFi systems.
First Southwest Airlines flight with Starlink! https://t.co/JBK7fE0r91
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 23, 2026
“Starting with this first aircraft, we will be rapidly integrating Starlink into our fleet this year,” commented Tony Roach, Southwest’s chief customer and brand officer, per a report by PYOK.
“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.”
Southwest currently offers free WiFi to Rapid Rewards members, while passengers who are not members can register through the Starlink login page.
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Expansion plans underway
Southwest expects more than 300 aircraft to be equipped with Starlink by the end of 2026. The airline currently operates a fleet of around 800 Boeing 737 aircraft.
Until the rollout is completed, many aircraft will continue using internet services provided by Viasat and Anuvu.
United Airlines has also started introducing Starlink. The airline operated its first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 flight from Newark to London Heathrow on June 22 and plans to install the service on more than 1,000 aircraft.
Airlines race to improve connectivity
Several airlines are investing in satellite internet services. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have announced fleet-wide Starlink plans, while American Airlines intends to begin installations on selected aircraft from 2027.
Delta Air Lines and JetBlue have instead chosen Amazon's satellite internet service, although the network is still under development and is not expected to become fully operational before 2027.
FAQs:
Which Southwest aircraft first received Starlink WiFi?
A Boeing 737-800 with registration N8543Z became the airline's first Starlink-equipped aircraft.
Will Starlink WiFi be available on all Southwest flights?
Southwest plans to equip hundreds of aircraft with Starlink over the coming years.
