Alaska Air Group to Offer Starlink In‑Flight Wi‑Fi Across Fleet by 2027
Alaska Air Group announced it will begin offering SpaceX’s Starlink gate‑to‑gate in‑flight Wi‑Fi starting in 2026 and complete a fleetwide rollout by 2027. The airline says the system will deliver speeds up to 7× faster than traditional geostationary satellite systems and enable streaming, video calls, and real‑time work onboard.
Key details
- Rollout timeline: Starts 2026, full fleet by 2027.
- Free for loyalty members: Atmos Rewards members will get complimentary access as part of a partnership with T‑Mobile.
- T‑Mobile partnership: T‑Mobile will provide a seamless, ad‑free Wi‑Fi login experience for passengers; full details to follow.
- Performance claim: Alaska says Starlink offers “ultra‑fast speeds”—up to 7× faster than current GEO satellite Wi‑Fi systems most airlines use.
- Estimated costs: Industry reports estimate equip/installation costs around $300,000 for a 737 and about $500,000 for a 787, plus ongoing operating fees (reportedly around $120 per seat/month and an additional $120 for live TV).
- Other airlines: British Airways and Emirates have been reported to be in talks with Starlink as well, which would be major wins for SpaceX vs. legacy providers.
- Concerns: Some customers may object to SpaceX/Elon Musk for political reasons, which could affect adoption.
Sources & further reading
Learn more about consumer Starlink products and accessories: Search Starlink on Amazon
Note: Reported cost details and per-seat fees are from industry reporting and have not been confirmed by all parties involved.