What happened
Southwest Airlines is set to activate high-speed Starlink inflight Wi-Fi, marking a significant upgrade to its onboard connectivity. The first aircraft equipped with the service, a Boeing 737-800, will enter service by the end of June 2026, according to Tony Roach, Southwest's chief customer and brand officer. Southwest plans to equip up to 300 planes with Starlink by the end of the year, with the pace dependent on Starlink kit availability. This move follows recent changes to the airline's product, including the introduction of assigned seating, a premium-light extra-legroom product, and charging for checked bags. The airline previously made its existing Wi-Fi free for Rapid Rewards members. Southwest joins other major U.S. carriers like Alaska, Hawaiian, JSX, and United in offering Starlink. American Airlines has announced plans to add Starlink to its Airbus jets starting in 2027. Meanwhile, Delta and JetBlue are pursuing Amazon's Leo connectivity product. Southwest's current providers, Anuvu and Viasat, are being phased out as the airline explores different vendors for its remaining fleet