Southwest Airlines expects to complete a fleet-wide rollout of SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi by fall 2027, covering more than 800 Boeing 737 aircraft. The plan includes older 737-700s not scheduled to retire before then and would make Southwest the first major U.S. airline to offer Starlink connectivity across its entire fleet, with free access for Rapid Rewards members.
The announcement came during Southwest’s Media Day in Dallas as the airline outlined broader changes to its Rapid Rewards programme and customer experience. Starlink is already being introduced progressively, with the first equipped flight operating in June 2026 and a target of more than 300 aircraft fitted by the end of the year.
Installation is expected to accelerate during the first quarter of 2027. Future Boeing 737 MAX 7 aircraft are planned to enter service with Starlink installed, while the broader rollout will also extend to in-service aircraft that remain in the fleet. The system is intended to provide high-speed connectivity from take-off to landing.
Southwest’s target gives a specific completion date to an installation programme previously described as ongoing. Other major U.S. airlines are pursuing Starlink at different stages, leaving Southwest competing on the scale and consistency of its onboard connectivity offering. Reports have cited differing figures for the number of aircraft already equipped, while Southwest’s confirmed plan does not specify a current total.