"Southwest Airlines - following the lead of some major competitors - started to offer free in-flight Wi-Fi to members of its Rapid Rewards loyalty program, but this week it announced a major change to that service. The airline said it plans to install Wi-Fi technology from a new vendor: SpaceX's Starlink, which uses a network of thousands of low-orbit satellites to provide very high-speed links with no glitches or gaps."
"It will still be offered at no cost to Rapid Rewards members. The airline said Starlink should be available on more than 300 of its 800 aircraft by the end of this year, with the first planes coming online this summer. "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," Southwest said."
Southwest plans to install SpaceX's Starlink Wi-Fi on more than 300 of its 800 aircraft by the end of the year, with initial planes coming online this summer. The service will remain free for Rapid Rewards loyalty members and promises high-definition streaming, live gaming, real-time messaging, and fast uploads. SpaceX's Starlink is already available to other carriers such as Hawaiian and United. Other industry moves include United and JetBlue expanding their Blue Sky partnership, United adding more preordered meal options, the TSA reporting near-universal Real ID use, Alaska cutting some California service, and route changes at Orange County and by WestJet.
Read at SFGATE
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