Alaska Airlines is accelerating its fleet-wide installation of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite Wi-Fi. The move comes after strong early tests on its Embraer E175 jets. The airline now aims to finish the upgrade ahead of schedule.
Strong Start on Regional Jets
Starlink service debuted on Alaska’s Embraer E175 regional jets in late 2025. Early reports show it is much faster than older satellite Wi-Fi, enabling seamless video streaming, gaming, and video calls mid-flight. This good performance has led Alaska to accelerate the installation of Starlink on its larger Boeing 737 and 787 planes. In a recent statement, Todd Traynor-Corey, Vice President of Guest Products and Experience, said:
“We’re moving ahead of schedule, and will rapidly continue installations across our entire E175, 737, and 787 fleet through 2026.”
Entire Fleet Ahead of Schedule
Alaska first announced the Starlink plan in August 2025. The original goal was to finish by 2027. The updated plan will see Starlink feature across all aircraft types sooner.
This move also brings Alaska in line with Hawaiian Airlines, which it merged with in 2024. Hawaiian already offers free Starlink on its Airbus fleet. Alaska’s rollout will make sure all flights under the Alaska Air Group have the same fast Wi-Fi, whether flying domestically or on long-haul international routes.
Starlink’s Perks for Passengers
Beyond improved connectivity, Alaska is positioning Starlink as a core competitive advantage. The airline has partnered with T-Mobile to offer the service free of charge to eligible members of its Atmos Rewards loyalty programme. This move is designed to attract frequent flyers and differentiate Alaska from competitors relying on slower, legacy satellite systems.
The new Starlink terminals also support Alaska’s sustainability goals. The aerodynamic antenna is lighter and uses less fuel. Alaska says it will save over 800,000 gallons of fuel a year.
Will free, high-speed Wi-Fi influence your choice of airline? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
