United Airlines Unveils Free Starlink Wi-Fi

In the high-flying world of commercial airlines, United Airlines has been playing catch-up with its rivals, American and Delta, especially when it comes to Wi-Fi. But fear not, frequent flyers, change is finally on the horizon. United has decided to join the Wi-Fi revolution with its plan to offer onboard Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet, and they’ve just flipped the switch on their very first aircraft.

United Airlines Is Hooking Up Over 1,000 Jets with Starlink Wi-Fi

United has inked a deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink Wi-Fi to over a thousand of its aircraft, marking the biggest Starlink partnership in the airline industry. The cherry on top? United plans to pamper all its MileagePlus members with free Wi-Fi. Given that Delta’s already offering free and fast internet, United had no room to play it coy.

Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet service, available from gate to gate, promises a host of benefits—think live streaming, gaming, online shopping, and plenty more—available on multiple devices simultaneously.

More and more airlines are catching the Starlink wave. Fellow high-fliers like airBaltic, Air France, Air New Zealand, Hawaiian Airlines, Qatar Airways, and WestJet have also announced plans to bring Starlink Wi-Fi on board.

Installing Starlink Wi-Fi is surprisingly quick, around eight hours on average, making it a breeze compared to the painstakingly slow process of setting up other inflight Wi-Fi systems.

In a tech-driven world, United is leading the pack on US soil. It’s safe to say that the airline pours more resources into tech advancements than its peers, which makes this Starlink partnership feel like a match made in heaven. Perhaps this explains why United held back from jumping on the Wi-Fi bandwagon until now—with wares from one of the veteran internet providers.

“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to enjoy on a United plane at 35,000 feet, anywhere in the world. This connectivity transforms inflight entertainment on every seatback, offering more, personalized content. United’s culture of innovation is, once again, bringing big returns for our customers.” – Scott Kirby, United CEO

“We have exciting plans for our MileagePlus members this year, with Starlink being central. Adding it to every plane as soon as possible is a game-changer, enhancing the United flying experience and paving the way for new partnerships and member benefits.” – Richard Nunn, MileagePlus CEO

United Airlines’ Starlink Wi-Fi Rollout Timeline

So, what’s the plan, you ask? United is set to bring Starlink Wi-Fi to over a thousand planes, covering mainline aircraft and regional jets alike.

The rollout kicks off with regional jets, specifically on the United Express Embraer E175, where Starlink is already taking its first flight. This trial run sets the stage for what’s to come. By May 2025, United aims to add Starlink Wi-Fi to over 40 United Express planes each month, with the entire fleet predicted to be connected by the end of 2025.

The timeline for retrofitting mainline jets is a bit foggy. It appears we’ll need to hold our horses until late 2025 or early 2026 for the main fleet to get the upgrade. Nevertheless, completing the regional fleet by the end of 2025 is no small feat.

Currently in United’s Wi-Fi artillery:

• Intelsat Wi-Fi on regional jets (formerly branded Gogo)
• Panasonic Wi-Fi available on most wide-body jets, along with select A319s, A320s, and 757s
• Thales Wi-Fi serving the majority of non-MAX 737 aircraft
• Viasat Wi-Fi onboard most 737 MAX planes, A321neos, and selected A319s

The Bottom Line

United Airlines is sprinting to bridge the gap with its rivals by launching free Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet. Until now, they’ve lagged behind American and Delta in the high-stakes world of inflight connectivity. But as Starlink Wi-Fi starts shining on United Express regional jets, this shift promises to revolutionize the passenger experience by the end of 2025. Mainline aircraft will follow in due time, reinforcing United’s commitment to superior onboard tech.

Kudos to United for tackling its connectivity crux head-on. It might take a while to see the complete rollout, but at least they’re zipping in the right direction.

What do you think of United diving into the Starlink sphere?