From PCMAG · Rob Pegoraro · · 1m 20s
Southwest Airlines Switches to Starlink Wi-Fi for Fleet
Southwest Airlines to upgrade all 810 planes with Starlink Wi-Fi by fall 2027.
In brief
Southwest Airlines to upgrade all 810 planes with Starlink Wi-Fi by fall 2027. Southwest Airlines will install SpaceX's Starlink broadband on all 810 Boeing 737s by fall 2027 to replace current Wi-Fi systems. Originally reported by PCMAG.
Southwest Airlines Announces Starlink Fleet Upgrade
Southwest Airlines plans to install SpaceX's Starlink broadband on all 810 Boeing 737s by fall 2027.
Starlink Rollout Timeline
Southwest will outfit 300-plus planes with Starlink by year-end, leaving 500 to upgrade in its 810-aircraft fleet.
Starlink vs. Traditional Wi-Fi
Starlink offers faster downloads, much faster uploads, and vastly lower latency compared to older satellite systems.
Alternative Providers
Southwest could also use Amazon's Kuiper satellites or Telesat's Lightspeed service for in-flight connectivity.
Current Partnerships
Southwest partners with T-Mobile for satellite roaming to smartphone users, but Starlink will replace current Wi-Fi systems.
Competing Airlines
United Airlines aims to finish Starlink rollout by end of 2027 but will not cover its smallest regional jets.
Starlink Impact
Southwest's upgrade will make it the fourth largest US airline with Starlink-equipped aircraft, expanding access for US travelers.
Remaining Challenges
Starlink won't solve in-seat power issues, leaving some passengers offline due to low laptop batteries.
The essence
Southwest Airlines will install SpaceX's Starlink broadband on all 810 Boeing 737s by fall 2027 to replace current Wi-Fi systems.
