United Airlines Accelerates Free Starlink Internet Rollout, and More

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United Airlines Accelerates Free Starlink Internet Rollout Across Fleet

Photo by David Syphers on Unsplash

United Airlines has accelerated its timeline for implementing SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service, with testing beginning in February 2025 and the first commercial flight launching this spring on an Embraer E-175 aircraft.

This initiative represents the largest Starlink agreement in aviation history, covering over 1,000 aircraft, and will provide free high-speed internet access to all MileagePlus members.

Key Points

• Testing begins in February 2025, with the first commercial flight in spring 2025

• Complete rollout for the two-cabin regional fleet by the end of 2025

• First mainline aircraft to be Starlink-enabled before year-end 2025

• Gate-to-gate connectivity supporting streaming, gaming, and video calls

• Download speeds ranging from 40 to 220 Mbps, upload speeds 8 to 25 Mbps

• Free access for all MileagePlus members (membership is complimentary)

What It Means

This strategic move positions United Airlines significantly ahead of its U.S. competitors. By offering free high-speed Wi-Fi, United becomes the first major U.S. airline to provide this benefit fleet-wide, setting a new standard for in-flight connectivity.

The partnership with SpaceX not only promises to transform in-flight connectivity but also opens new opportunities for customer engagement and service offerings.

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