Alaska Airlines to Launch Free Starlink Wi-Fi for Atmos Rewards Members

Coming off of its merger with Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines continues to transform itself, finally announcing plans to add free WiFi to all of the jets in its fleet.

Alaska Airlines said on Wednesday that it will begin installing Starlink on its fleet in 2026 and expects to have all of its aircraft—regional, narrow-body, and wide-body—connected by 2027. All of the jets from the Hawaiian Airlines deal already have Starlink installed.

Just like some other airlines, Alaska says it will make the service free to its loyalty program members. The airline made the announcement about the program at the same time it launched Atmos Rewards, the new combined loyalty program from Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines (more on that below).

Alaska, like United Airlines, is opting for a partnership with Starlink to provide free Wi-Fi. The airline says the service is “at least 7x faster” than the geostationary satellite-based Wi-Fi systems other airlines use. It promises that Starlink will perform just like internet on the ground, allowing flyers to use workplace message platforms, stream videos, play games, and more in-flight.

Alaska also promises that its entire network will be covered by Starlink by 2027, including its new routes into Asia and Europe.

Atmos Rewards

To get access to the free Wi-Fi, travelers will need an Atmos Rewards account, the name for the new combined loyalty program from Alaska and Hawaiian.

The program should be fully rolled out later in 2026 and will allow travelers to earn in one of three ways based on their preference—by distance traveled, price paid, or segments flown. Those who take a lot of short-haul flights (like between Hawaiian islands or along the West Coast, two places where Alaska and Hawaiian dominate the route map) might want to have their loyalty based on segments, for instance, while others who travel in the front of the plane might want to opt for price paid. Travelers will be able to change their preference once a year.

Alaska also has a partnership with Lyft that will allow travelers to earn points on everyday Lyft rides (2 points for every $1 spent) and more on Lyft rides from or to an airport (3 points for every $1 spent).

The two are also launching a new premium credit card for Atmos Rewards—the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite card, a co-branded card with Bank of America, that gives travelers 1 status point for every $2 spent.