Alaska Airlines Nears 737 Retrofit, Expands Starlink Wi-Fi

Alaska Airlines is approaching the final phase of a major fleet upgrade program that has reshaped the onboard experience across its Boeing 737 fleet, as the carrier moves to increase revenue potential while improving connectivity for passengers.

The airline is nearing completion of a two-year retrofit initiative focused on adding more premium seating to its narrowbody aircraft. To date, Alaska has completed upgrades on 218 of its 253 Boeing 737 jets, putting the project firmly on track to wrap up in the coming months. The retrofits are designed to increase the number of higher-priced seats, including premium class and extra-legroom options, reflecting growing demand from travelers willing to pay more for comfort on short- and medium-haul flights.

The cabin refresh aligns with a broader industry trend as U.S. airlines seek to boost unit revenues by rebalancing aircraft layouts toward premium products rather than relying solely on capacity growth. For Alaska, the additional premium seats are intended to enhance yield while giving business and leisure travelers more choice within a single aircraft type. The airline has emphasized that the updates were carefully planned to preserve overall customer comfort while improving the economics of each flight.

Alongside the seating upgrades, Alaska Airlines is also accelerating the rollout of high-speed inflight connectivity through SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network. The carrier has already installed Starlink Wi-Fi on 24 aircraft and expects roughly half of its fleet to be equipped with the service by the end of the year. Once fully deployed, Starlink will replace older satellite systems, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable coverage, including over remote regions.

The introduction of Starlink represents a significant step in Alaska’s digital strategy, particularly as passenger expectations around connectivity continue to rise. Reliable, fast Wi-Fi has become a key differentiator for airlines competing for frequent flyers and premium customers, especially on longer domestic routes where passengers increasingly expect to stream video, work online, or stay connected throughout the flight.

Together, the cabin retrofits and Wi-Fi upgrades signal Alaska Airlines’ focus on enhancing the onboard experience while strengthening its financial performance. By investing in premium seating and next-generation connectivity, the airline is positioning itself to capture higher-value demand without adding significant complexity to its fleet. As the retrofit program concludes and Starlink installations accelerate, Alaska is set to enter the next phase of its fleet modernization with a clearer emphasis on revenue growth, customer satisfaction, and competitive differentiation in the U.S. domestic market.

Related News: https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com