Southwest Airlines announces loyalty program overhaul and Starlink rollout

Southwest Airlines has announced a major overhaul of its Rapid Rewards loyalty program and in-flight technology, set to take effect in 2027. The restructuring will replace the current A-List and A-List Preferred tiers with new Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels. Under the new system, the unlimited Companion Pass will be reserved exclusively for Platinum members, who must earn 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points or 100 qualifying flights. To facilitate this, the airline is adjusting how points are earned, including allowing Rapid Rewards credit card spending to contribute directly to status.

Additionally, the airline is expanding its redemption options to include partner airlines such as China Airlines, Etihad, and Icelandair. Southwest also plans to introduce Milestone Rewards to provide perks between status tiers and is developing new Icon lounges, with the first expected to open in late 2027.

On the technology front, Southwest plans to outfit its entire fleet with high-speed, low-Earth-orbit broadband, specifically mentioning SpaceX’s Starlink, with a goal to complete the rollout by fall 2027. This move aims to provide free, high-speed internet to all passengers across its Boeing 737 fleet.