Alaska Airlines is the latest carrier preparing to enhance its passenger experience by equipping its aircraft with Starlink, Elon Musk’s high-speed satellite internet service. This follows Alaska’s merger with Hawaiian Airlines, which became the first US carrier to offer Starlink onboard in February 2024.
Since the merger, the two airlines have worked to improve operations, from optimising routes and upgrading technology to enhancing their loyalty programmes. For passengers, this means not only faster Wi-Fi but also more seamless journeys and better benefits for loyalty members.
From installation to success
Hawaiian first introduced Starlink on its Airbus A321 fleet in February 2024. By September, installations were complete on its Airbus A330-200 aircraft as well. Passengers immediately welcomed the high-speed, reliable internet, which enabled streaming, video calls, and fast browsing — activities that were nearly impossible on older Wi-Fi systems.
Flight attendants also saw a benefit: entertained passengers needed less assistance, freeing up crew time for safety and service duties.
@hawaiianair You can now look forward to Starlink high-speed internet on your next flight to or from Hawai‘i. All A321 and A330 planes are now equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi. ✈️ #HawaiianAirlines #Starlink #Hawaii ♬ オリジナル楽曲 – (14)☆彡.。 – ︎︎
What the merger means for the fleet
With the merger, Alaska and Hawaiian’s combined fleet now includes aircraft from Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon Air, and regional partners. This larger fleet opens up new route possibilities and also requires harmonising the Passenger Service System (PSS).
The PSS handles essential processes like bookings, check-in, seat selection, and baggage tracking. Integrating two different systems is notoriously challenging in airline mergers, but once complete, passengers will enjoy smoother check-in experiences and seamless connections between the two carriers.
The merger also benefits the 11 million members of both airlines’ loyalty programmes. Under a new scheme called ‘Alaska Accelerate’, travellers will be able to combine their miles across both carriers and gain access to an expanded network of destinations, more lounge access, and enhanced cargo operations. The combined programmes are projected to generate an additional $1 billion in profit.
Why starlink is different
Traditional inflight Wi-Fi relies on geostationary satellites, sitting 35,000 km above Earth, resulting in high latency and slow speeds. In contrast, Starlink uses low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, positioned just 550 km above Earth, meaning lower latency and much faster speeds, which essentially means it is which means it is better for streaming, Zooming, and fast browsing.
Hawaiian Airlines CEO Joe Sprague described Starlink as “a huge improvement over the previous Wi-Fi options.” He noted that while Hawaiian’s new Boeing 787 Dreamliners are still awaiting approval for Starlink antenna installation (due to their carbon fibre fuselage), the airline is working hard to bring Starlink to those aircraft soon.
Is Starlink cheaper for passengers?
Starlink is not only faster and more reliable but also cheaper for airlines to operate. Hawaiian already offers Starlink Wi-Fi for free, and other airlines are expected to follow suit.
As of March 2025, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, JSX, Air France and Qatar Airways are all offering or preparing to offer Starlink Wi-Fi. Air France will begin rolling it out later this year.
Can you use personal Starlink on a plane?
Even if your phone supports Starlink (like the latest iPhones) or your mobile provider partners with Starlink, you can’t connect your personal Starlink on a commercial flight.
The reason is simple: airlines use aviation-certified antennas, very different from household Starlink dishes. Regulations also prohibit personal satellite communication devices onboard to avoid interference with aircraft systems.
