The big picture: United is rolling out fast, free in-flight Wi-Fi through Starlink's satellite network, offering passengers seamless connectivity across its domestic fleet. This shift marks a significant upgrade in air travel, making uninterrupted internet access a new standard at 30,000 feet.
United Airlines has started rolling out SpaceX's Starlink internet on its planes, marking a shift for in-flight Wi-Fi. Last week, the airline hosted a demo aboard an Embraer E-175 regional jet, offering a glimpse at a future without spotty signals or sky-high fees.
The abbreviated test flight departed from and returned to the same gate at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, offering fast, gate-to-gate connectivity with speeds rivaling in-home broadband. Speedtest data showed Starlink averaged 128 Mbps downloads, peaking above 230 Mbps during taxi and takeoff, with uploads averaging around 24 Mbps.
United will launch Starlink service on commercial routes starting May 15, initially covering short-haul flights between Chicago and Detroit. This rollout happens ahead of schedule, surpassing the airline's original target of late 2025. The airline plans to equip its fleet of 1,026 aircraft, beginning with two-cabin regional jets and eventually expanding to mainline aircraft.
United customers can access wireless Starlink internet at no cost by signing up for the airline's free MileagePlus program. The connection supports seamless browsing, streaming, gaming, and even limited video conferencing. However, United is implementing common-sense usage guidelines. The rules prohibit voice and video calls – distinguishing them from video conferencing – while requiring passengers to wear headphones for audio. "Offensive content" is also banned, keeping the environment respectful.
"We're bringing Wi-Fi from just like your living room to the skies," United Chief Customer Officer David Kinzelman told The Verge.
During the trial, passengers streamed video, played games, and used multiple devices without noticeable slowdowns, thanks to Starlink's low Earth orbit satellite network, which has grown to over 7,000 satellites. Unlike traditional satellite internet systems that rely on geostationary satellites, Starlink's low-latency network reduces the signal's travel time, dramatically improving performance.
This architecture has also paved the way for faster advertising technologies. United plans to implement real-time ad targeting, leveraging sub-100 millisecond latency – suggesting how the free service could eventually generate revenue.
"What the Starlink connectivity allows us to do in real time, because of the latency and the low earth orbit satellite technology… means that we can make some real-time, less than 100 millisecond ad decisions to serve up in a hyper-personalized world," said United MileagePlus CEO Richard Nunn.
United isn't the first airline to adopt Starlink. Although the airline announced its plans last year, Hawaiian Airlines and JSX had already integrated the service. However, United is now the largest airline to offer Starlink. As the technology rolls out across its domestic fleet, the airline has not yet confirmed when it will expand to international routes or how it will integrate into the Star Alliance network.
United becomes largest airline to deploy fast Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi
