Southwest Airlines has confirmed plans to bring SpaceX’s Starlink internet service to its entire fleet by fall 2027. If it reaches that goal, Southwest will become the first major US airline to complete a fleetwide rollout of the satellite-based technology.
The announcement came Thursday as part of a broader overhaul of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards loyalty program. Once installed, Starlink will provide passengers with high-speed internet from takeoff to landing, with access remaining free for Rapid Rewards members through the airline’s partnership with T-Mobile.
Southwest first announced its Starlink plans earlier this year, targeting more than 300 equipped aircraft by the end of 2026. The latest announcement provides a firm target for completing the rollout across its fleet.
The airline joins a growing list of carriers adopting SpaceX’s satellite internet service. As Drive Tesla previously reported, United Airlines had already equipped more than 300 regional aircraft with Starlink by February 2026, and earlier today announced it has more than doubled that figure.
Southwest’s rollout covers its Boeing 737 fleet. Unlike traditional inflight internet systems, Starlink uses a network of low-Earth orbit satellites to deliver faster connections with lower latency, and passengers can use the service for streaming, video calls, browsing, and other online activities that have historically been difficult with conventional aircraft Wi-Fi.
The connectivity upgrade is one part of Southwest’s wider changes coming in 2027, including new Silver, Gold, and Platinum loyalty tiers, expanded international airline partnerships, and premium airport lounges.
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