Starlink-equipped commercial aviation expanded across multiple U.S. carriers in recent weeks, with United Airlines operating its first widebody long-haul Starlink flight on June 22 [5], Southwest Airlines marking its inaugural Starlink departure on June 23 [4], and Alaska Airlines confirming its first 50 mainline aircraft have been equipped with the service [3].
Airline Updates
United Airlines: United operated flight UA-14 from Newark to London Heathrow on June 22, 2026, becoming the first widebody long-haul flight to offer free Starlink Wi-Fi to passengers. The service provides gate-to-gate connectivity with one-click access across multiple devices at no charge [5]. The milestone follows United's completion of its first prototype Starlink installation on a widebody Boeing 777, announced by CEO Scott Kirby at the IATA annual general conference in Rio de Janeiro [6].
Southwest Airlines: Southwest Airlines operated its first Starlink-equipped flight, WN-3660, departing Dallas to Albuquerque on June 23, 2026. The aircraft, an 8-year-old Boeing 737-800 registered as N8543Z, was the first retrofitted Southwest plane to carry the service [4].
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines: Alaska Airlines has equipped its first 50 mainline aircraft with Starlink, marking what the carrier described as a significant rollout milestone. Separately, 100% of the Alaska and Hawaiian regional fleet is now equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi. T-Mobile's Atmos rewards members can access the service free of charge on Alaska and Hawaiian flights [3].
American Airlines: Starlink Wi-Fi plans, including free Wi-Fi, have been cited as part of American Airlines' broader 18-month improvement effort [2].
Data Spotlight
StarlinkFlights data indicates a notable shift on the Alaska Airlines Kona (KOA) to San Francisco (SFO) route, where Starlink coverage has declined from 93.0% to 63.0% (StarlinkFlights data). Travelers on this Hawaii-to-mainland corridor should verify connectivity availability when booking or before departure, as equipped aircraft appear to be rotating off this route.
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Industry Watch
The consumer satellite connectivity space continues to expand beyond aviation. Fi, a pet technology company, has launched a Starlink-enabled dog tracker, demonstrating that SpaceX's satellite network is being integrated into consumer hardware well beyond the airline cabin [1]. The proliferation of Starlink across consumer and commercial verticals underscores the growing infrastructure footprint that airlines are also tapping for inflight service.
Travel Tip of the Day
If you are flying Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines on a regional aircraft, Starlink Wi-Fi is now available across 100% of that fleet [3]. T-Mobile Atmos rewards members can access the service at no cost — check your membership status before your next flight to take advantage of free inflight connectivity.