‍SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines (AS) has chosen Starlink to bring high-speed Wi-Fi to its passengers.

Starting in 2026, the airline will begin installing the Space X technology on its planes, aiming to complete the rollout by 2027. Once active, passengers will get gate-to-gate connectivity fast enough for streaming, video calls, gaming, and real-time work, far beyond what traditional in-flight Wi-Fi offers. 

The rollout follows Hawaiian Airlines (HA), which has already added Starlink to some of its aircraft.

“With Starlink already live on Hawaiian Airlines and installations starting this winter across Alaska’s fleet, we’re proud to offer the fastest, most reliable in-flight internet in the skies, with gate-to-gate connectivity on nearly every aircraft across both airlines,” said Ben Minicucci, CEO and president of Alaska Air Group.

Free Wi-Fi for Atmos Rewards Members

Passengers in the newly-launched Atmos Rewards loyalty program will get free Wi-Fi, thanks to a partnership with T-Mobile. 

This makes AS the first primary U.S. carrier to offer Starlink-equipped long-haul Wi-Fi from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the airline’s West Coast hub. Alongside HA, United Airlines (UA) has also begun adding Starlink to its domestic fleet.

Starlink’s design has added perks, too. Its lightweight, aerodynamic antennas cut drag and save fuel, helping AS reduce costs by hundreds of thousands of dollars in fuel bills annually.

About Starlink

Starlink is a satellite internet service designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet anywhere in the world. 

Unlike traditional geostationary satellites that orbit far above Earth, Starlink uses a constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which orbit much closer to the planet. This allows for faster speeds and lower latency, making activities like streaming, video calls, gaming, and real-time work possible, even in the sky.

The system uses electronically steered antennas that are lightweight, aerodynamic, and have no moving parts. This makes them easier to install on aircraft while reducing drag and fuel consumption compared to older in-flight Wi-Fi systems.

With this rollout, Alaska Airlines (AS) is leading the way in in-flight connectivity. Passengers can look forward to seamless, high-speed internet in the sky, while the airline strengthens its position in the competitive U.S. market.