United Airways has introduced plans to begin testing Starlink on flights in February, and finally add SpaceX’s satellite tv for pc web service to its whole fleet. The corporate first introduced a partnership with SpaceX to “set a brand new customary of inflight connectivity” in September 2024.
After testing, United expects the primary industrial flight with Starlink to be on a United Embraer E-175 within the spring. The remainder of the the airline’s “two-cabin regional fleet” may have Starlink put in all through 2025, and United says it’ll have the “first mainline Starlink-enabled airplane within the air” earlier than the top of yr.
Starlink will accessible without spending a dime to all members of United’s MileagePlus program. Moreover enhancing the standard of inflight Wi-Fi, United sees Starlink as a chance to “unlock new partnership” for its members. Don’t be stunned if United cooks up new offers with streaming companies to supply extra free content material throughout flights.
United is becoming a member of each Delta and Hawaiian Airways in partnering with Starlink for inflight Wi-Fi. SpaceX initially introduced its intentions to provide 350 Mbps web speeds to planes in 2022, and each Delta and Haiwaiian Airways have both examined Starlink or dedicated to providing it on their planes.
Starlink has expanded in some severe methods within the final yr. SpaceX obtained to check Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite tv for pc service with T-Cellular throughout Hurricane Milton’s landfall within the US, made plans for a bigger beta take a look at of the service for February and launched a nationwide satellite tv for pc texting service in New Zealand.