Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have equipped around 150 of their aircraft with Starlink satellite Wi-Fi. Passengers on eligible flights can now connect to fast internet in the air, free of charge with an Alaska Airlines loyalty account.
How does Starlink work on a plane, and which flights now offer it?
Alaska Airlines bought Hawaiian Airlines in 2023. The two airlines have been working together to improve the passenger experience. Their latest step is a big upgrade to in-flight Wi-Fi.
Starlink is a satellite internet system made by SpaceX. It uses hundreds of small satellites that orbit close to the Earth. The satellites send internet signals to planes in the air. The system is very fast — it can reach speeds of up to 500 megabits per second. This is much faster than the Wi-Fi that most airlines offered before.
The service is free for some passengers. Members of the Alaska Airlines loyalty programme can log in with their account number and use the internet at no cost. Other passengers can pay to access Wi-Fi on their flight.
At the moment, Starlink works on all Hawaiian Airlines flights. It also works on Alaska Airlines’ regional aircraft and the first 50 of its main planes. Alaska Airlines plans to add Starlink to its wide-body aircraft by autumn 2026. By 2027, the whole fleet will have the service.
Good Wi-Fi on planes has been difficult for a long time. In the past, many airlines had slow internet. Passengers could not watch films or join video calls. With Starlink, they can use the internet just like at home. For business travellers, this is especially useful — they can work on their laptops, answer emails, and join online meetings during a long flight.
More airlines are making the same change. Southwest Airlines has started to add Starlink to its planes. Air France began using Starlink on its flights in 2025. Fast internet in the air is becoming normal across the aviation industry.
Alaska Airlines worked with T-Mobile, a US phone company, to offer the service. The two companies say they want to make every flight more comfortable and more connected for travellers everywhere.
Check your understanding
What internet system do Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines now use on their planes?
The airlines use Starlink — a satellite internet system made by SpaceX — to give passengers Wi-Fi in the air.
Why do you think Alaska Airlines offers free Wi-Fi to loyalty programme members, but not to all passengers?
The article explains that airlines use good Wi-Fi to attract passengers and make flying more comfortable. Offering free Wi-Fi to loyalty members rewards their regular custom and gives them a reason to choose Alaska Airlines over competitors.
- satellite (noun) – a machine that moves around the Earth in space and sends signals back to the ground. Typical use: “a satellite internet system.”
- orbit (verb) – to travel in a circle around something in space. Typical use: “hundreds of small satellites that orbit close to the Earth.”
- loyalty programme (noun phrase) – a club for regular customers of a company, where members earn points or get special benefits. Typical use: “members of the Alaska Airlines loyalty programme get free Wi-Fi.”
- wide-body aircraft (noun phrase) – a large passenger plane with two aisles, used on long routes. Typical use: “Alaska Airlines plans to add Starlink to its wide-body aircraft.”
If you enjoyed this article, read about how Air France launched free Starlink Wi-Fi on its flights in 2025.
CEFR Level A2 / ICAO Level 3