According to CNN, United Airlines will begin testing Starlink in February, and the wifi services will be launched in Spring for its first commercial flight on the airline’s Embraer E-175 aircraft.
United Airlines has announced an accelerated timeline to introduce Starlink’s high-speed internet services across its fleet. The airline plans to equip its entire two-cabin regional fleet by the end of 2025 and aims to have its first mainline Elon Musk’s Starlink-enabled plane in operation before the year’s end.
Access to Starlink will be complimentary for all MileagePlus members, offering enhanced in-flight entertainment options such as streaming services, shopping, and gaming. This initiative marks a significant expansion of Starlink’s services in the aviation sector, following similar agreements with other airlines.
United Airlines is not the only airline offering high-speed internet on flights. In September, Hawaiian Airlines announced it would offer Starlink free to all travelers on Airbus-operated flights between the islands and the continental United States, Asia, and Oceania. Semi-private charter firm JSX also has complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi on its fleet of 46 planes.
Delta Air Lines announced in early 2023 that free Wi-Fi would be available to its SkyMiles loyalty program members. JetBlue Airways has had free Wi-Fi on flights since 2017.
In-flight internet has been available since 2003, when plane maker Boeing announced its service, Connexion.
