United Airlines announced plans to begin testing Starlink on flights in February and eventually add SpaceX's satellite internet service to its entire fleet. The company first announced partnership with SpaceX “to set a new standard for in-flight communications” in September 2024.
After testing, United expects the first commercial Starlink flight to take place on a United Embraer E-175 in the spring. The rest of the airline's “double-cabin regional fleet” will be equipped with Starlink throughout 2025, and United says it will have the “first Starlink-enabled mainline aircraft in the air before the end of the year.”
Starlink will be available free of charge to all United MileagePlus members. In addition to improving the quality of in-flight Wi-Fi, United sees Starlink as an opportunity to “open a new partnership” for its members. Don't be surprised if United strikes new deals with streaming services to offer more free content on flights.
United joins both Delta And Hawaiian Airlines partnering with Starlink to provide onboard Wi-Fi. SpaceX initially announced its intentions offer internet speed of 350 Mbit/s on planes in 2022, and Delta and Haiwaiian Airlines have either tested Starlink or committed to offering it on their planes.
Starlink has expanded significantly over the past year. SpaceX should test Starlink direct satellite connection with T-Mobile during Hurricane Milton's landfall in the US, made plans larger beta test service for February and launched nationwide satellite text messaging service in New Zealand.