SOUTHWEST AIRLINES BRINGS LIVE GAMING TO 35,000 FEET, POWERED BY STARLINK

Twitch creators compete and livestream in real time from a Starlink-equipped Southwest aircraft en route to TwitchCon

DALLAS, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) brought gaming to 35,000 feet with the first-ever live gaming tournament in the sky, bringing Twitch creators onboard a special flight from Austin to San Diego on their way to TwitchCon. Powered by Starlink's fastest WiFi in the sky, creators competed head-to-head while livestreaming the action to the Twitch community in real time.

This one-of-a-kind activation showcased what faster, reliable connectivity can make possible onboard as Southwest expects to become the first major U.S. airline to equip its entire fleet with Starlink in fall 2027.

Game Mode: On
The tournament added a new spin to Southwest's history of creating unexpected moments onboard, turning the cabin into a gaming arena and giving creators a new way to connect with their communities from the sky. The experience extended well beyond the aircraft, with the livestream bringing viewers along for the flight and creating moments creators could continue sharing with their followers after touchdown.

"Gaming is all about connection, competition, and sharing the moment with a community, which made bringing a live tournament onboard such a natural fit for Southwest," said Sabrina Callahan, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital & Marketing Officer at Southwest Airlines. "Southwest is known for making the journey memorable for our Customers, and this was a unique way to unite the energy of TwitchCon with the power of Starlink at 35,000 feet."

Going All-In on Ultra-Fast WiFi ¹
From Nintendo Switch systems and gaming laptops to tablets and phones, Starlink's high-speed, low-latency connectivity gives Customers more ways to play, stream, work, and stay connected using the devices they bring onboard.

"Our Customers want to stay connected in the air just as they do on the ground, and Starlink is helping us deliver that experience," said Lisa Hingson, Vice President Customer Experience & Innovation. "Livestreaming a gaming tournament shows what this technology can do, made possible by Starlink's constellation of thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites. Whether Customers want to stream, work, or simply stay connected along the way, we're investing in an inflight experience that gives them more freedom to spend their time onboard the way they want."

The carrier offers free WiFi to all Rapid Rewards Members, thanks to T-Mobile. Customers can join Rapid Rewards to unlock access to free WiFi, tier benefits, and points by flying qualifying flights or spending with eligible partners. Members can purchase points to earn a reward to book their favorite destination or a new Southwest route. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply at Southwest.com/rrterms. 

TwitchCon 2026 takes place November 13 to 15 at the San Diego Convention Center, bringing together streamers, creators, developers and communities for live shows, panels, game demos and fan meet-ups. More information about attending TwitchCon San Diego is available online.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across 12 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline.² By empowering its more than 73,000³  People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 134 million Customers carried in 2025. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.