Starlink Wi-Fi Coming Soon to Southwest
Southwest Airlines has announced that it will soon improve its inflight connectivity by transitioning to Starlink satellite technology.
Following its recent initiative to provide complimentary WiFi to all Rapid Rewards members, the carrier will now be implementing the SpaceX-developed system to increase connection speeds across its network. This technology utilizes low-Earth-orbit satellites to offer speeds of up to 250 Mbps and support activities such as streaming, playing video games, and social media during flight.
The integration into the Southwest fleet is scheduled to move quickly. Service on the first Starlink-enabled plane will begin this summer, with the airline targeting more than 300 equipped aircraft by the end of the year. The rollout is part of a broader strategy to modernize the entire fleet’s internet capabilities.
According to Jason Fritch, Vice President of Starlink Enterprise Sales at SpaceX, the goal is to provide a connection that performs at a level comparable to home internet services.
With this move, Southwest joins Alaska Airlines in utilizing the Starlink platform, while United Airlines is also currently installing the system on its own aircraft.
