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SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines (AS) and Hawaiian Airlines (AS) has announced substantial progress in the rollout of complementary onboard lightning-fast internet service, positioning the carriers among the first to offer ultra-fast, free Wi-Fi across their fleets.
Running ahead of schedule
The whole regional fleet of Alaska and Hawaiian, as well as the first 50 mainline aircraft - approximately 150 aircraft in total - are already equipped with the Starlink free internet connectivity solution.
This milestone puts airlines ahead of schedule in enhancing passengers’ in-flight connectivity and delivering an industry-leading customer experience.
Close cooperation with T-Mobile
The in-flight internet, available complimentary to everyone on board through a partnership with T-Mobile, is powered by Starlink and provides the fastest connectivity in the sky. Alaska Airlines recognizes T-Mobile for its invaluable contribution to enhancing passengers' in-flight connectivity.
“For years, T-Mobile has played a key role in keeping our guests connected, and we’re proud to now offer Starlink, the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky, to Atmos members for free, made possible through our work with T-Mobile. We’ve seen an overwhelmingly positive response from our guests, and we couldn’t have done it without T-Mobile as we continue to raise the bar for the experience across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines,” said Shane Jones, Senior Vice President of Fleet, Product,s and Guest Experience at Alaska Airlines.
“Our relationship with Alaska Airlines has helped redefine what travelers can expect from in-flight connectivity, and today’s milestone is another important step forward. Bringing complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi to more travelers across both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines makes it easier to stay connected throughout their journey. The new, streamlined experience for accessing Wi-Fi reflects our shared commitment to delivering a better, more seamless travel experience,” added Mike Belcher, Head of Partnerships & Business Development at T-Mobile.
New onboard portal
As part of this rollout, Alaska and Hawaiian are introducing a new onboard portal to simplify internet access for passengers through signing up for the airlines’ joint Atmos™ Rewards loyalty program, winner of 2026’s NerdWallet’s Best Airline Rewards Program.
The new experience will become available in June and, in mid-July, will be standard on all flights. Existing Amots Rewards members will connect automatically via a streamlined interface, and new joiners will be able to sign up in just a few easy steps before or during their travel, free of charge.
Leading the Starlink rollout is the U.S.
After Hawaiian’s debut as the first major U.S. carrier to introduce Starlink connectivity in 2024, Alaska kicked off high-speed internet installation on its fleet last year, becoming the first U.S. airline with a fully Starlink-equipped regional fleet within months. The whole fleet is expected to be equipped by 2027; installation progress can be tracked at the airline’s online portal.
Alaska is projecting to have its entire widebody fleet to offer free in-flight internet already this fall and operate more Starlink flights from Hawai‘i, Portland, San Diego, and Seattle than any other airline, including the carrier’s long-haul international flights from SEA to Incheon-Seoul, London, Rome, and Tokyo, flown on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Replacing the legacy in-flight Wi-Fi
Compared to older in-flight Wi-Fi systems, Starlink offers lower latency and higher connection speeds, enabling passengers to stream, browse, and scroll just like at home.
Enhancing onboard connectivity is part of Alaska and Hawaiian’s commitment to growing as a global premium carrier, with passengers at the center of every step of the evolution.
Featured image: Brandon Farris/Airways
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