United Airlines to Install Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi Across its Entire Fleet

by Krish Patel

With the debut of new Starlink satellite Wi-Fi, United Airlines is making a pretty big investment in its inflight Wi-Fi service. Recently, the company announced it would be adding SpaceX’s Wi-Fi service to its massive fleet of over 1,000 jets. Testing begins in early 2025, and the first few jets with the Wi-Fi service will take to the Friendly Skies later next year.

Starlink is an arm of SpaceX and provides internet access in over 100 countries across the globe. While the Wi-Fi service is popular among homeowners and the military, it’s especially exciting that Starlink service is going to be developed on commercial planes. 

United will become the largest airline to partner with Starlink, which will certainly improve the inflight connectivity experience. The airline has previously offered Wi-Fi from a variety of mediocre providers. The best part is that Starlink Wi-Fi will be free on United, which will bring them to the same level as Delta and JetBlue, both of which offer free Wi-Fi.

In addition to United, Starlink Wi-Fi is currently installed or will be installed on the following airlines:

• JSX

• Hawaiian Airlines 

• airBaltic 

• Zipair 

• Qatar Airways 

• Air New Zealand 

As high-speed inflight internet access becomes a standard amenity passengers can look forward to, I would love to see more airlines partner with the reliable Wi-Fi source. For United, this marks a major part of the inflight experience. Earlier in the 2020s, the airline unveiled the United Next Program, which includes sleek Signature Interiors on the mainline narrowbody aircraft featuring large overhead bins, Bluetooth connectivity, and seatback IFE. The addition of better Wi-Fi will only make traveling better. 

I’m more than excited for United’s new rollout of new inflight Wi-Fi and hope this service is a success. Travelers who are conducting business will be able to conduct their meeting from 35,00 feet on a United Airlines jet.