Alaska Airlines has completed installation of Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi across its entire regional jet fleet, marking a major step in the airline group’s push to make fast inflight internet a standard part of the passenger experience. The rollout covers 91 regional jets and comes as Alaska Air Group and Hawaiian Airlines accelerate connectivity upgrades across their combined fleets.
In total, Alaska and Hawaiian now have approximately 150 aircraft equipped with Starlink service. The Wi-Fi is free for members of Atmos Rewards, the combined loyalty program for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, with complimentary access made possible through the group’s partnership with T-Mobile.
The timing places Alaska in the middle of a rapidly intensifying airline Wi-Fi race. Southwest operated its first Starlink-equipped aircraft the same week, while United introduced Starlink on a widebody transatlantic flight. Across the industry, airlines are increasingly treating fast, free internet as a competitive feature rather than a premium add-on.
Regional Jets Become the First Big Milestone
Alaska’s completion of Starlink installation across its regional fleet is important because regional aircraft often lag behind mainline jets in passenger technology upgrades. These shorter flights still matter to travelers, especially business passengers and frequent flyers who expect to stay connected across every part of a journey.
The Starlink-equipped regional fleet gives Alaska a more consistent Wi-Fi product on many domestic routes. Guests can stream, browse, message, scroll and work online with far better performance than legacy inflight systems typically provide. Alaska and Hawaiian are also introducing a new onboard portal that allows existing Atmos Rewards members to connect through a streamlined interface, while new travelers can sign up in just a few steps.
The service is expected to become standard across Starlink-equipped flights by mid-July. Membership in Atmos Rewards is free, which makes the Wi-Fi offer both a customer benefit and a loyalty acquisition tool. Travelers who want free access are encouraged to join the program before or during travel.
Hawaiian and Mainline Aircraft Are Next
Hawaiian Airlines has played a central role in the group’s connectivity strategy. It was the first major U.S. airline to bring Starlink to the skies in 2024, and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is available on Hawaiian aircraft flying to and from Hawai‘i. That gives the combined Alaska-Hawaiian network a strong starting point in leisure and long-haul island travel.
Alaska is now shifting attention to its mainline and widebody fleets. Installation is already underway on larger aircraft, including Boeing 737s and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The airline expects to complete Starlink installation across its widebody fleet this fall and across the remaining mainline fleet by 2027.
That matters as Alaska expands its ambitions beyond its traditional West Coast network. The airline has highlighted future long-haul flying from Seattle to destinations such as Seoul, London, Rome and Tokyo. Reliable free Wi-Fi on those routes can strengthen Alaska’s push to compete as a more premium global carrier.
The broader message is clear: inflight connectivity is becoming part of how travelers judge an airline before they book. Alaska’s regional Starlink milestone may sound technical, but for passengers, it means the expectation of fast free Wi-Fi is moving from select flagship aircraft to everyday flights.
