Alaska Airlines Is Adding Starlink Wi-Fi, Here’s What Hawaii Travelers Need to Know
If you’ve flown recently and struggled with slow, spotty in-flight Wi-Fi, Alaska Airlines just dropped some big news that actually matters for Hawaii travelers.
Alaska is officially rolling out Starlink satellite Wi-Fi across its fleet, promising fast, reliable, gate-to-gate internet, even over the Pacific.
This is a huge upgrade, especially for long flights to and from Hawaii.
What Is Starlink Wi-Fi (and Why It’s Different)?
Starlink uses low-Earth orbit satellites instead of traditional ground-based systems. That means:
Faster speeds
Lower latency (less lag)
Better coverage over oceans
More consistent connections gate-to-gate
In simple terms: this is the kind of Wi-Fi that actually works, even on long Hawaii flights.
When Will Alaska Airlines Start Offering Starlink?
Alaska has confirmed that Starlink installations began in 2025, first on four Horizon Air Embraer E175s, with the rollout continuing through 2026 & 2027.
The airline is prioritizing aircraft that fly longer routes and high-demand markets. which absolutely includes Hawaii.
The Big Question: When Will the 787 Dreamliners Get Starlink?
This is the part everyone keeps asking about.
Here’s the current answer:
Alaska’s Boeing 737 fleet will get Starlink first
The Boeing 787 Dreamliners are expected to receive Starlink later, during the broader 2026 rollout
Alaska has not announced an exact month or timeline yet for the 787s specifically
Why the delay? Widebody aircraft like the 787 require additional certification and installation approvals, which typically come after narrowbody planes. I heard from a friend who is a 787 mechanic tell me that the area where starlink equipment gets mounted is fragile and confirmed that other experts to install, which is why the HA 787 will likely be the last to have starlink.
So yes, the 787s are expected to get Starlink, just not in the first wave.
Will Starlink Be Free?
Yes, and this is another win.
Alaska has confirmed that Starlink Wi-Fi will be free for atmos loyalty members, similar to what we’ve seen with other airlines rolling it out.
For Hawaii travelers, this means:
Streaming
Messaging
Work calls (yes, even mid-Pacific)
No paying $8–$20 for barely usable Wi-Fi
Why This Matters for Hawaii Travelers
Flights from Hawaii are long, especially to the mainland or internationally, and reliable Wi-Fi has always been hit or miss.
Starlink changes the experience completely:
Better productivity for business travelers
Easier travel days for families
More consistent access for creators and remote workers
Combined with Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines integrating under Atmos Rewards, this is another sign that the Hawaii flying experience is getting real upgrades in 2026.
Scottie’s Take
For years, Wi-Fi on Hawaii flights felt like something airlines promised but never really delivered. Starlink is different. While we’ll need to wait a bit longer for the 787 Dreamliners, the fact that Alaska is committing to fleet-wide Starlink, including long-haul Hawaii routes is a big deal.
This is one of those upgrades that actually improves every single trip, not just elite flyers. I’ll be watching closely and updating you the moment Alaska confirms exact 787 timelines.
