Southwest Airlines(US:LUV) 智通财经网·2026-02-12 02:55Core Viewpoint - Southwest Airlines has announced the rapid deployment of SpaceX's Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi service across its fleet, marking its entry into the competitive in-flight connectivity market [1] Group 1: Company Developments - Southwest Airlines plans to equip over 300 aircraft with Starlink service by the end of this year, with the first flight expected to operate this summer [1] - This move comes after pressure from activist investor Elliot Investment Management, which has become one of Southwest Airlines' largest shareholders [1] - The airline has begun charging for checked baggage and introduced assigned seating, moving away from its previous differentiators compared to competitors like Delta Airlines and American Airlines [1] Group 2: Industry Trends - The in-flight Wi-Fi market is experiencing rapid growth, with SpaceX quickly gaining market share among major airlines, including Air France, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines [1] - Traditional in-flight Wi-Fi services have been criticized for unstable signals and poor experiences, while Starlink offers faster and more reliable connectivity due to its use of thousands of low Earth orbit satellites [1] - The growth of Starlink is contributing to the increasing valuation of SpaceX, which has also acquired Elon Musk's xAI to create a space data center, aiming for an IPO this year [1]