Starlink internet on United flights. Photo: United Airlines United Airlines is marking a milestone in the American airline industry today (October 15), when flight 2940 from New York (Newark) to Houston takes off at 8 a.m. Eastern Time (3 p.m. GMT+3) with the Starlink satellite internet system aboard.
This is the first time that a commercial flight line of a major U.S. airline has been equipped with this service on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
As we already announced earlier, United Airlines was one of the first companies in the world to sign a huge agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink technology to its entire fleet of aircraft.
The FAA gave United the green light last July, and throughout the year, United plans to equip up to 15 more aircraft each month with the Starlink system, with more than half of its regional fleet already equipped with the service. Another aircraft model is also expected to be certified for the new technology by the end of 2025.
United Airlines. Photo: Miguel Lagoa / Shutterstock.com
The first flight will feature approximately 170 passengers who will enjoy a fast and stable browsing experience, similar to a home connection, that will allow them to watch live broadcasts, stream movies and series, play online, or work in real time, even at an altitude of 30,000 feet. The service is provided free of charge to MileagePlus members, and passengers will receive advance notice if their plane is equipped with Starlink.
“We are committed to raising the bar when it comes to the in-flight experience, and with Starlink we are changing the way people fly,” said David Kinzelman , United’s VP of Customer Experience.
The system includes two Starlink antennas on each aircraft, and in total, United expects to install nearly 2,940 antennas across its fleet of aircraft, which represents the number of the inaugural flight. The company notes that satisfaction with regional flights already equipped with the service is particularly high, with 90% of passengers reporting a positive browsing experience.
This move is part of United’s broader strategy to offer an enhanced in-flight experience with over 300,000 personal entertainment screens across its fleet, more than any other U.S. airline. The investment joins the billions of dollars the company has invested in recent years to improve the passenger experience and strengthen customer loyalty.
Of course, United isn't the only airline offering or planning to offer this service. Last September, Air France announced that it was equipping its new Airbus A350s with free, unlimited Starlink Wi-Fi, for the first time on long-haul flights.
Alongside it are companies such as airBaltic (which was the first to integrate Starlink technology into its Airbus A220-300 aircraft) and Qatar Airways.
At the same time, JetBlue will be the first to implement Amazon's competing satellite internet , and Delta Air Lines is also using a competing internet provider.