United Airlines has selected SpaceX’s Starlink Aviation inflight connectivity solution to power free Wi-Fi on its entire fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft — both mainline and regional aircraft — in a landmark deal that will see multiple incumbent IFC providers displaced including Panasonic Avionics, Viasat and Intelsat (formerly Gogo).
“United customers will soon enjoy the same high-speed, low-latency internet service in the air that they enjoy on the ground,” United said in a statement after rumors of the deal broke on X, which like SpaceX is controlled by Elon Musk.
“The new, gate-to-gate connectivity will unlock game-changing experiences in the sky at scale that no other major US airline provides like access to live TV and streaming services, social media, shopping, gaming and more, on seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously.”
Notably, over the next several years, United expects to bring Starlink to “all” its aircraft, including widebodies, narrowbodies and regional aircraft. Financial terms have not been disclosed, but testing begins in early 2025 with the first passenger flights expected later that year.
Starlink is powered by SpaceX’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Ku-band satellite network. United’s announcement is a blow to Panasonic, Viasat and Intelsat, which respectively power IFC on the US major’s widebodies (and some narrowbodies), most of the domestic fleet, and regional jets.
Panasonic customers ZIPAIR and WestJet have already announced their defections to Starlink, whilst Viasat business aviation customer Flexjet is doing the same.
Hawaiian Airlines, meanwhile, has brought Starlink to its entire A321neo fleet and installs on the A330 fleet are expected to be completed within days. Together with today’s United deal, SpaceX has secured well over 2,000 aircraft commitments for Starlink Aviation.
It’s not immediately clear if United will retain a portal experience for passengers. The airline said it intends to also bring Starlink connectivity to its seatback IFE screens. It currently flies 100,000 screens across its fleet, but is in the midst of growing these numbers as part of its NEXT retrofit plan, and as it takes delivery of new jets.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do onboard a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” said United CEO Scott Kirby.
“This connectivity opens the door for an even better inflight entertainment experience, in every seatback — more content, that’s more personalized. United’s culture of innovation is, once again, delivering big for our customers.”
The new Starlink-enabled IFC service will also ensure that United pilots, flight attendants, technicians and gate agents can help run the operation and serve customers via their connected mobile devices.
“We’re excited to team up with United Airlines to transform the inflight experience,” said SpaceX president and COO Gwynne Shotwell. “With Starlink onboard your United flight, you’ll have access to the world’s most advanced high-speed internet from gate to gate, and all the miles in between.”
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Featured image credited to United Airlines