Southwest says 47 aircraft now fitted with Starlink Wi-Fi

Southwest Airlines has installed Starlink satellite internet on 47 aircraft so far, according to a company executive, as the Dallas-based carrier works through a fleet-wide retrofit.

Tony Roach, Southwest's chief customer and brand officer, said customer reaction to flying on the connected aircraft has been very favourable. The airline wants the service to be consistent across its network, he said, so passengers can count on the same Wi-Fi whether they are flying to El Paso or to Honolulu.

Southwest teamed up with Starlink earlier this year. Its first aircraft with the service began flying in the summer.

The carrier has said it aimed to have the technology on more than 300 aircraft by the end of 2026, and it expects the entire fleet to be equipped by autumn 2027. Southwest says it would be the first major U.S. airline to reach that point.

Wi-Fi is free for members of the airline's Rapid Rewards programme through T-Mobile.