Alaska Airline has announced that it will install SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire fleet. Beginning in 2026, passengers will gain access to the satellite powered internet service, with a rollout across the airline’s entire fleet expected by 2027.
Once operational, the Starlink system will be offered free of charge to members of the airline’s newly introduced Atmos Rewards loyalty program, which combines Alaska’s existing benefits with those from its Hawaiian Airlines merger.
The decision to offer the service for free to loyalty members follows similar moves by other airlines, such as United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and WestJet in Canada.
Starlink relies on a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation that now exceeds 8,000 satellites. Alaska reports that speeds could reach up to 500 Mbps with latency below 99 milliseconds — more than seven times faster than older satellite services.
This performance will be particularly valuable on long-haul flights departing Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Alaska’s largest hub. The carrier will become the first U.S. airline to operate Starlink-equipped long-haul flights from Seattle, ensuring consistent coverage even on northern routes to Asia and Europe where connectivity typically drops off.
Beyond improving the passenger experience, Alaska says Starlink’s lighter, more aerodynamic hardware will also support its sustainability goals. The electronically steered antennas feature no moving parts, helping reduce drag and fuel consumption.
The airline estimates that the switch to Starlink could conserve more than 800,000 gallons of fuel annually.
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