Summary:
- Southwest Airlines partners with SpaceX’s Starlink to provide next-gen WiFi across its network, enabling high-speed connectivity for customers.
- Starlink will allow passengers to stream, play games, work, and stay connected with family and friends from take-off to landing.
- Southwest plans to equip over 300 aircraft with Starlink technology by the end of 2026, enhancing inflight entertainment and productivity.
Southwest Airlines – a Headline Partner of the 20th anniversary edition of FTE Global, taking place in Dallas, Texas, on 8-10 September 2026 – is taking inflight connectivity to new heights with Starlink. Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink will deliver next-generation WiFi across Southwest’s network, allowing customers to stream, share, and scroll in the sky at lightning-fast speeds.
“Free WiFi has been a huge hit with our Rapid Rewards Members, and we know our customers expect seamless connectivity across all their devices when they travel,” said Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President, Chief Customer & Brand Officer Tony Roach. “Starlink delivers that at-home experience in the air, giving customers the ability to stream their favourite shows from any platform, watch live sports, download music, play games, work, and connect with loved ones from take-off to landing.”
Southwest plans to rapidly integrate Starlink into its fleet. The first Starlink-equipped aircraft enters service this summer, and it will be available on more than 300 aircraft by the end of 2026. This is a major step in the airline’s plan to upgrade all of its aircraft with high-speed, low-Earth-orbit satellite technology.
This technology supports inflight entertainment with high-definition streaming and live gaming, connection with real-time messaging, and productivity with the ability to collaborate and upload large files in seconds.
“We’re thrilled to deliver a connectivity experience to Southwest Airlines and its customers that really is similar, if not better, than what you can experience in your own home,” said Jason Fritch, Vice President of Starlink Enterprise Sales at SpaceX. “Starlink is the future of connected travel, making every journey faster, smoother, and infinitely more enjoyable.”
FTE Global relocates to Dallas for 20th anniversary on 8-10 September 2026 with DFW, Southwest, and Dallas Love Field as Headline Partners
The flagship Future Travel Experience (FTE) event, FTE Global, relocates to Dallas, Texas, in September 2026 for a landmark edition marking the event’s 20th anniversary. The milestone gathering, taking place on 8-10 September 2026, will be delivered in partnership with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Southwest Airlines, and Dallas Love Field Airport as official Headline Partners. Widely regarded as the “CES of Aviation”, FTE Global is the industry’s definitive innovation event, bringing together airlines, airports, government agencies, and industry partners from across the world. The 2026 edition in Dallas will be the biggest and boldest in the event’s history, welcoming more than 2,000 senior attendees for three days of future-focused conferences, a comprehensive exhibition packed with exclusive demos and announcements, and unrivalled networking opportunities. Read our full announcement here.
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