Southwest Hails Fast, Broad Starlink Deployment

21 October 2026

Southwest Airlines is moving quickly on Starlink, targeting a fleetwide installation of the high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi system by fall 2023. The carrier, which put its first Starlink-equipped 737 into service on June 22, has now connected 47 aircraft and expects to upgrade the rest of its fleet, including the 737-700s, in the coming months.

The current pace represents a major acceleration from the airline's initial public goal. Earlier this year, Southwest announced plans to equip more than 300 of its 737s with Starlink by the end of 2023. While Southwest has fallen short of that interim target, the carrier has publicly projected full fleet connectivity within about 12 months.

The latest in-flight Wi-Fi data compares to a picture taken just four months earlier, when the first Southwest Starlink aircraft entered service on a Dallas to Albuquerque route. The airline initially projected that 400+ planes would eventually receive Starlink. However, the carrier now says its deployment will be limited to its Boeing 737 fleet.

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Southwest expects to be the first major U.S. airline to complete a Starlink upgrade across its entire fleet, and is planning to replace its existing Wi-Fi system in the process. By supporting an at-home digital experience in the cabin, Starlink will let customers stream content, play games, share documents, and upload files in the air.

Introducing a faster onboard Wi-Fi experience is clearly a major advantage for Southwest. The carrier has touted user-friendly features, including free Wi-Fi for Rapid Rewards members, and aims to deliver consistent internet service across all routes. Chief customer officer Tony Roach promised that whether flying to El Paso or Honolulu, the onboard connection will be the same.