Southwest Airlines is about to make the “airplane WiFi” experience feel a lot more like home.

In a new announcement, Southwest Airlines Co. says it will begin rolling out Starlink ultra-fast inflight WiFi this summer. Starlink—engineered by SpaceX—will deliver next-generation connectivity across Southwest’s network of 11 countries, giving customers the ability to stream, scroll, share, and stay productive from takeoff to landing.

First Starlink-equipped aircraft launches this summer

Southwest says the first Starlink-equipped aircraft will enter service this summer, with a rapid integration plan behind it. By the end of 2026, Starlink WiFi is expected to be available on more than 300 aircraft.

The airline frames the rollout as a major step toward upgrading its fleet with high-speed, low-Earth-orbit satellite technology.

“An at-home experience in the air”

Southwest points to rising expectations around inflight connectivity—especially as travelers juggle work, entertainment, and messaging across multiple devices.

“Free WiFi has been a huge hit with our Rapid Rewards Members, and we know our Customers expect seamless connectivity across all their devices when they travel,” said Tony Roach, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer & Brand Officer at Southwest Airlines. “Starlink delivers that at-home experience in the air, giving Customers the ability to stream their favorite shows from any platform, watch live sports, download music, play games, work, and connect with loved ones from takeoff to landing.”

What Starlink brings to inflight internet

Starlink is described as a constellation of more than 9,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit. Southwest says the technology supports:

• High-definition streaming and live gaming
• Real-time messaging
• Productivity tools, including the ability to collaborate and upload large files quickly

SpaceX also emphasized the goal of making inflight connectivity feel comparable to (or better than) home internet.

“We’re thrilled to deliver a connectivity experience to Southwest Airlines and its Customers that really is similar, if not better, than what you can experience in your own home,” said Jason Fritch, Vice President of Starlink Enterprise Sales at SpaceX. “Starlink is the future of connected travel, making every journey faster, smoother, and infinitely more enjoyable.”

Part of a broader cabin upgrade plan

Southwest notes it is currently the largest U.S. airline offering access to free WiFi fleetwide to loyalty members, thanks to T-Mobile (where available on WiFi-enabled aircraft). The Starlink rollout is positioned as one piece of a larger cabin refresh that includes:

• Assigned and premium seating options
• New aircraft seats made by RECARO
• In-seat power at every seat, larger overhead bins, and seatbacks with a personal device holder
• An Extra Legroom experience (Southwest says up to five additional inches compared to Standard and Preferred seats; seat pitch varies by aircraft)
• Boarding process updates, including earlier boarding for Extra Legroom customers and select loyalty and credit card groups

Rapid Rewards tie-in

Southwest encourages travelers to join Rapid Rewards to unlock free WiFi and other benefits. The airline also notes members can purchase points to earn rewards and book destinations.

Learn more

Source: PRNewswire

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Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Early risers in Arizona are in for a celestial show.

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, a total lunar eclipse will be visible across much of North America — including Phoenixand the Valley. During this event, the Moon will pass completely into Earth’s shadow, turning a deep copper-red color often called a “Blood Moon.”

Here’s what you need to know.

🌍 What Is a Total Lunar Eclipse?

A total lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align perfectly, with Earth positioned directly between the Sun and the Moon. As the Moon moves into Earth’s darkest shadow (the umbra), it doesn’t disappear — instead, it glows red.

That reddish color comes from sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere — essentially, we’re seeing all the world’s sunrises and sunsets projected onto the Moon at once.

🕒 Phoenix Viewing Times (MST)

Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time in March, so these times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST).

• 1:44 a.m. – Penumbral eclipse begins (subtle dimming begins)
• 2:50 a.m. – Partial eclipse begins (Earth’s shadow becomes clearly visible)
• 4:04 a.m. – Totality begins 🌕
• 4:34 a.m. – Greatest eclipse
• 5:03 a.m. – Totality ends
• 6:18 a.m. – Partial eclipse ends
• 7:20 a.m. – Penumbral eclipse ends

The most dramatic portion — totality — lasts nearly one hour.

🌅 Where to Look in Phoenix

The eclipse happens in the pre-dawn hours, so the Moon will be low in the western sky as it sets.

For the best view:

• Find a location with a clear western horizon
• Avoid city light glare if possible
• Consider desert viewpoints, parks, or elevated areas around the Valley

Because the Moon will be setting as the Sun begins to rise, the backdrop of early morning twilight could make for stunning photography.

🔭 Do You Need Special Equipment?

No.

Unlike a solar eclipse, lunar eclipses are completely safe to view with the naked eye. However:

• Binoculars enhance color detail
• A small telescope reveals subtle shadow gradients
• A tripod and DSLR or smartphone with night mode can capture impressive images

🌎 Why This Eclipse Matters

This will be one of the most accessible celestial events of 2026 for Arizona residents. Total lunar eclipses don’t happen every year in the same location, and the timing — just before sunrise — adds dramatic visual contrast.

If skies are clear, Phoenix could have a spectacular view.

📌 Quick Viewing Reminder for Phoenix

Set your alarm for around 3:45 a.m.

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Step outside by 4:00 a.m.

Look west

Watch the Moon turn red

No tickets. No crowds. Just the sky putting on a show.

For more science, space, and Arizona skywatching coverage, visit STM Daily News.

Related Coverage

• NASA: What Is a Lunar Eclipse?
• Time and Date: March 3, 2026 Total Lunar Eclipse Details
• Sky & Telescope: How to Watch the March 2026 Lunar Eclipse
• Space.com: Where and When to See the 2026 Blood Moon
• STM Daily News – Science & Space Coverage

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Tighter Budgets Haven’t Stopped Travel. They’ve Changed How Americans Plan

(Tiffany Miller for ALG Vacations) The flight search is open, but many travelers are pausing before they book. Prices feel higher than last year, headlines are heavy and budgets are tighter. Still, the question isn’t whether to take a vacation, but how to make it work.

A November 2025 survey from ALG Vacations of U.S. adults planning to travel in 2026 shows that financial pressure is reshaping how people approach vacations, not whether they take them. While 81% say they have at least some concern about their household finances in the months ahead, 92% say they would still travel even if tighter finances required scaling back.

Financial pressure shapes decisions, not demand
That shift shows up in the small moments of planning. Travelers are taking longer to compare prices, reconsidering timing and adjusting expectations before they book.

Inflation and rising prices top the list of concerns, cited by 61% of respondents, reinforcing why travelers are rethinking destinations, trip length and overall costs.

Concerns about global events and safety follow at 39%, with broader political and economic instability close behind at 38%.

Still, those worries rarely lead travelers to walk away from travel altogether. Instead, many describe pulling back in measured ways, scaling down plans, rethinking details and making trade-offs that keep a trip possible, even if it looks different than originally imagined.

Experience changes how travelers move from planning to booking
Not all travelers navigate those trade-offs the same way. For some, uncertainty slows the process. For others, familiarity helps clear the final hurdle.

Among respondents who have previously booked a packaged vacation through a major vacation brand, 80% say they plan to take an international trip in the next year, compared with 46% of those without that experience.

That confidence carries into spending decisions as well. Sixty-seven percent of packaged-vacation travelers expect to spend more than $2,500 on their next trip, compared with 47% of those who have never booked a packaged vacation.

Taken together, the findings point to a confidence gap, with prior experience linked to greater comfort committing to international travel and higher spending.

Professional guidance plays a larger role when planning gets complex
For many travelers, planning no longer stops at picking dates and destinations. Rising prices, shifting availability and higher expectations have turned vacation planning into a series of decisions that feel harder to navigate alone.

That complexity shows up most clearly among travelers with prior packaged-vacation experience. Ninety-four percent say they plan to use a travel advisor, compared with 81% of those without prior packaged-vacation experience.

The gap suggests that familiarity with structured travel planning often leads travelers to seek expert guidance. As trips become more layered, getting the details right matters as much as the destination itself.

Travel remains a priority, even as decisions slow
The findings suggest that travel is still very much on the table, even as decisions take longer to make. Travelers are weighing trade-offs, seeking guidance and leaning on experience as they plan, rather than walking away altogether.

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The flight search may stay open a little longer this year. But for many Americans, the trip is still happening.

Methodology
ALG Vacations commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of U.S. adults planning to travel and travelers with prior packaged-vacation experience in the United States.

The survey included 1,000 adults planning to travel and a subsample of 502 respondents who had previously booked a packaged vacation through a major vacation brand.

The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points for the full sample and 4 percentage points for the packaged vacation subsample at a 95 percent confidence level.

Fieldwork was conducted in November 2025. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

ALG Vacations