Chicago-based United Airlines
is starting off the new year by accelerating the introduction of Starlink high-speed WiFi on flights. It comes just four months after the legacy carrier announced its partnership with the SpaceX
-owned telecommunications provider.

Starlink will first be rolled out across United’s regional planes before being equipped across its fleet of nearly 1,000 mainline aircraft. The airline will become the second US carrier to implement the fast and free internet service.

Regional 1st

United announced the news early Sunday, confirming that it will begin testing Starlink in February. The first flight with the new service is expected to operate this spring on an Embraer E175
regional aircraft. The airline has plans to equip “its entire two-cabin regional fleet by the end of this year.”

Starlink United January2025.

Photo: United Airlines

United’s regional flights are operated by five different airlines under the United Express brand: CommuteAir, GoJet Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways, and SkyWest Airlines. According to Planespotters.net, the combined fleet of nearly 450 regional aircraft comprises the Bombardier CRJ200, CRJ550, CRJ700, ERJ-145, E170, and E175. The only types that do not have a two-cabin layout are the ERJ-145 and CRJ200, meaning about 130 aircraft will be exempt from receiving the Starlink upgrade.

Read More

United Express Embraer ERJ145XR Emergency Exit Panel Detaches & Hits Passenger Inflight

The cabin sidewall piece was reportedly held up by band-aids before it came loose.

CommuteAir is the sole operator of the ERJ145s, while SkyWest operates the CRJ200s. The carrier also operates the CRJ700 and some E175s. GoJet is the only carrier that operates the CRJ550, which is a modified CRJ700 with more premium features. Mesa, which formerly operated CRJ900s, now only operates the E175, while Republic is also an E175 operator and flies the E170.

Mainline 2nd

Following the rollout across regional flights this year, United will move on to its mainline fleet, which will be a much more tedious operation. The carrier plans to “have its first mainline Starlink-enabled plane in the air before the end of this year.” Although the exact timeline remains unclear, United expects to have the service equipped across its larger aircraft over the next several years.

Combining the regional fleet, United will become the first US carrier to offer Starlink across more than 1,000 planes. Its mainline fleet comprises the following narrowbody models: the Airbus A319, A320, A321neo, Boeing 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, 737-900ER, 737 MAX 8, 737 MAX 9, 757-200, 757-300. Its widebody aircraft include the 767-300ER, 767-400ER, 777-200, 777-200ER, 777-300ER, 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 Dreamliner.

WiFi Image

Photo: United Airlines

The move comes as United is also working on retrofitting nearly all of its narrowbody fleet with its NEXT interior. The design brings new United First, United Economy Plus, and United Economy seats and seatback screens with Bluetooth connectivity.

The airline has already outfitted several aircraft, but it will ultimately take another year to complete
.

“As quickly as we can”

All MileagePlus
travelers will have free Starlink access. United says the service will also include “game-changing inflight entertainment experiences,” such as steaming capabilities, shopping, and gaming. It is a strategy to attract more passengers to become frequent flyers, following Delta Air Lines introducing a similar offering for SkyMiles travelers, albeit, the carrier does not use Starlink.

United MileagePlus CEO Richard Nunn explained how the airline is working to add the new WiFi as soon as possible.

“We have a lot planned for our MileagePlus members this year and adding Starlink to as many planes as we can – as quickly as we can – is at the center of it all,” said Richard Nunn, CEO of United MileagePlus. “It’s not only going to revolutionize the experience of flying United, but it’s also going to unlock tons of new partnerships and benefits for our members that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.”

SFO

Photo: United Airlines

Although United’s agreement with SpaceX is the largest in the industry, it is not the first. In September,

Hawaiian Airlines completed the installation of Starlink on its A330-200 fleet
, meaning nearly all of the carrier’s transpacific flights have high-speed internet service. Hawaiian became the first US airline to partner with SpaceX, first outfitting its A321neos with Starlink. The carrier is still working to upgrade its 787-9s with the service.

You Might Also Like

We Tried Elon Musk’s Starlink For Aviation Onboard Its 1st Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Flight

The internet speeds were better than those found in many households on the ground!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *