DALLAS — Alaska Airlines (AS) has launched Starlink Wi-Fi on four of its Embraer E175 regional aircraft, marking the start of the airline’s rollout of SpaceX’s satellite internet service. The move cones after the fast link was installed on SkyWest Airlines (OO) birds first since they are already installing it on the United Express (UA) E175.

“Using Starlink on an airplane is basically the same as using the internet on the ground,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of guest products and experiences. He added that the airline had initially planned to complete its first Starlink installation in 2026 but accelerated the timeline after receiving Federal Aviation Administration certification earlier than expected.

Alaska Airlines (AS) said back in August that it would begin installing Starlink systems in 2026. Today, it confirmed that it will roll out the service on its Boeing 737 fleet next year. Hawaiian Airlines (HA), acquired by Alaska Air Group last year, had already moved early on next-generation satellite connectivity, rolling out Starlink internet across its Airbus fleet.

The upgrade is expected to noticeably improve the onboard experience, particularly on shorter regional routes where in-flight Wi-Fi has often been unreliable. Older systems frequently struggled with congestion and limited bandwidth, making even basic browsing difficult for passengers.

The system uses SpaceX’s Starlink network, which relies on low-Earth-orbit satellites rather than traditional geostationary ones. Because these satellites operate much closer to Earth, the service offers lower latency and faster speeds, reducing dropouts and connection delays during flight.

The Starlink system also uses a low-profile antenna designed to reduce aerodynamic drag compared with older satellite connectivity hardware.

Carriers worldwide have announced plans to adopt Starlink, while some, including Alaska, have already launched the service. As airlines continue to modernize onboard connectivity, Starlink is increasingly being seen as a viable alternative to older satellite systems.