adverts
United Airlines is speeding up its plans to offer SpaceX’s Starlink-enabled in-flight Wi-Fi, with the first commercial flights now slated to launch this spring.
The airline, which announced the upgrade last year, now expects to begin testing Starlink on its planes next month, starting with an Embraer E-175—a regional jet with a capacity of up to 88 passengers.
United aims to equip its entire two-cabin regional fleet with Starlink Wi-Fi by the end of 2025, with the first mainline Starlink-enabled plane expected to enter service before the close of this year.
adverts
The ambitious project ultimately targets nearly 1,000 planes in the airline’s fleet, promising to deliver fast and reliable internet connectivity to passengers.
Currently, United employs multiple Wi-Fi providers, including Intelsat, Panasonic, and Viasat, with varying performance levels across aircraft types. While Viasat stands out for speed and reliability on certain planes, Starlink’s integration marks a significant leap forward.
The satellite service offers download speeds of 40–220 Mbps and upload speeds of 8–25 Mbps per terminal, enabling activities like streaming, gaming, and videoconferencing even at cruising altitude.
Starlink Wi-Fi will be free for members of United’s MileagePlus loyalty program, which offers complimentary enrolment.
Unlike many international carriers that have announced plans to adopt Starlink, United is currently the only major U.S. airline committed to deploying the SpaceX-owned technology. Other carriers, such as JSX and Hawaiian Airlines, have revealed intentions to incorporate Starlink, but United remains ahead in its implementation timeline.
In a statement, Richard Nunn, CEO of United MileagePlus, highlighted the transformative potential of Starlink for air travel:
“We have a lot planned for our MileagePlus members this year, and adding Starlink to as many planes as we can—as quickly as we can—is at the centre of it all. It’s not only going to revolutionise the experience of flying United, but it’s also going to unlock tonnes of new partnerships and benefits for our members that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.”
