United Airlines has become the first major US carrier to roll out SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed satellite internet on its mainline fleet, promising uninterrupted streaming and real-time work access at 30,000 feet.
The service officially went live on October 15, when United Flight 2940 from Newark to Houston became the first mainline aircraft equipped with Starlink antennas to take off with passengers using the service. The Wi-Fi is being offered free for MileagePlus members, the airline confirmed.
“Starlink Wi-Fi is already available on more than half of our regional fleet, and it’s rolling out on more planes every day. Free for MileagePlus members,” the airline posted on X.
Seamless streaming and real-time connectivity
According to United Airlines, passengers can now stream live sports, movies, and music, or even take video calls and collaborate on documents with speeds reaching up to 250 Mbps. The airline said the connection enables “gaming, shopping and working without buffering, lag or advanced downloads.”
Chief Customer Officer David Kinzelman said the rollout represents a new era in passenger experience. “We’re committed to raising the bar when it comes to the onboard experience, and with Starlink, we’re changing how people fly,” he said.
Following the first installation, United plans to equip 15 Boeing 737-800 aircraft each month, fitting two antennas per aircraft. By year-end, the airline expects Starlink certification for additional aircraft types, with a goal of installing nearly 2,940 antennas fleetwide which is a nod to its inaugural flight number.
Expanding coverage and global ambitions
The collaboration marks Starlink’s debut on a major US airline and strengthens United’s strategy to enhance in-flight comfort through digital upgrades. Over half of United’s regional fleet already uses Starlink, with customer surveys showing high rate of satisfaction among passengers.
Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, operates in over 100 countries, including the US, Europe, South America, Africa and Southeast Asia. The move places United ahead of competitors like American Airlines, which announced plans earlier this year to introduce free Wi-Fi for loyalty members through Viasat and Intelsat by 2026.
As airlines race to offer faster and more reliable internet, United’s partnership with Starlink signals what many in the industry call the future of flying -c onnected, productive and seamless.
