Alaska Airlines has become the newest airline to begin offering Starlink Wi-Fi on its planes. As reported by the Anchorage Daily News, the carrier has installed Starlink on four of its Embraer E175 regional jets. These planes are already flying and in service, with the rest of the Alaska Horizon fleet to be retrofitted soon. From there, the Boeing 737 fleet will be retrofitted, followed by the Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Starlink Wi-Fi is already operational on the Airbus A321neo and Airbus A330 aircraft operated by the company’s Hawaiian Airlines division. Starlink is also used by United Airlines, while Delta Air Lines and American Airlines primarily use Viasat Wi-Fi. Not only is Starlink considered to be perhaps the best Wi-Fi system in commercial aviation, but airlines are also offering it for free, and this is also becoming a feature on US airlines without Starlink (Delta, American). Alaska, too, will offer Starlink Wi-Fi for free to Atmos Rewards members.

Starlink Wi-Fi On Alaska Horizon Embraers

Alaska Airlines has rolled out SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi on four Embraer E175 aircraft. These regional jets operate under the Alaska Horizon brand, and Alaska will begin to install Starlink on the rest of the Horizon fleet. From there, the Boeing 737 fleet will be retrofitted, followed by the Boeing 787s currently in Hawaiian Airlines colors. The 787s do not feature any Wi-Fi system, along with the Hawaiian Boeing 717 fleet (which will not be retrofitted with Starlink).

Starlink is generally considered to be the fastest Wi-Fi system in the airline industry, with speeds and low latency comparable to speeds on the ground. Alaska’s aircraft currently feature Intelsat (formerly Gogo) systems, so the Starlink systems will represent a significant upgrade in terms of performance. In addition, Starlink will be complimentary for Atmos Rewards members, sponsored by T-Mobile.

The Starlink system will be offered gate-to-gate and will enable live-streaming, gaming, e-commerce, and more. Alaska first announced that it would install Starlink in August, with Boeing 737s set to begin receiving the systems in 2026. The group’s Dreamliners will follow later in the year, and Alaska Airlines expects to complete the project by 2027.

More Details On Alaska’s Starlink Retrofits

Hawaiian Airlines, now owned by Alaska, was the first airline to install Starlink, and it offers these systems already on the Airbus A321neo and Airbus A330-200 fleet. The Boeing 787s (set to be transferred to Alaska Airlines) do not feature any Wi-Fi system currently, but will be retrofitted with Starlink, while the Boeing 717s will not be retrofitted with any Wi-Fi system due to their advanced age.

Each aircraft variant in the carrier’s fleet needs to be certified with an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Starlink, which can be time-consuming. In other words, Alaska has to certify an STC for Starlink on the Horizon Air and SkyWest E175s, as well as the 737-700, 737-800, 737-900ER, 737 MAX 8, 737 MAX 9, and the 787-9. However, once the STC is approved, retrofits should be brisk as Starlink is known for quick installations.

Alaska Airlines is notable for having Wi-Fi available on every aircraft flying under the Alaska brand, and given that Hawaiian had already committed to Starlink, it makes sense to install this system throughout the rest of the group’s aircraft for further harmonization.

Wi-Fi Systems By The Competition

Beyond Hawaiian, United Airlines is the only other US carrier to commit to SpaceX’s Starlink. The carrier has primarily focused on retrofitting its regional United Express fleet. It’s also retrofitted a handful of mainline jets, with new Boeing 787 deliveries set to receive Starlink beginning in 2026. This service is complimentary for MileagePlus members.

Delta Air Lines and American Airlines both primarily rely on Viasat for in-flight Wi-Fi. Delta has made Wi-Fi free for SkyMiles members, while American is currently testing complimentary Wi-Fi for AAdvantage members and will initiate a full roll-out in January 2026. JetBlue is the only other US carrier with free Wi-Fi, available on all flights.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is becoming a new trend among premium US carriers as Wi-Fi systems evolve to better emulate service on the ground. With its new Starlink service, Alaska Airlines will offer the very best systems of any US carrier alongside sister brand Hawaiian, as well as United Airlines. In addition, offering this service for free will make Alaska Airlines more competitive against American, Delta, and United.