United Will Offer Free Starlink Wi-Fi Starting This Spring [Accelerated Timeline]

Soon, you won’t need to log off when you take off with United Airlines.

Last year, United signed an agreement with SpaceX’s Starlink to add high-speed, low-latency internet to over 1,000 aircraft in the coming years. In a surprise move, United announced an accelerated timeline that will feature the technology on its Embraer E-175 aircraft as early as this spring.

And to top things off, the new Starlink Wi-Fi service will be free!

Let’s take a look at the details.

United Flights Launching Starlink Wi-Fi This Spring

Starting this spring, United will begin testing and installing Starlink’s high-speed wireless internet on flights. Over the next several years, more than 1,000 aircraft are expected to receive the technology, but some will receive it sooner than others.

United announced an accelerated timeline for the installation process where passengers onboard Embraer E-175 aircraft will be able to get online as soon as this spring.

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.

Richard Nunn, CEO of United MileagePlus

United plans to outfit its entire regional fleet of E-175s by the end of 2025.

The new “gate-to-gate connectivity” will allow passengers to stay connected, work, game, shop, and more on personal devices and seatback screens — all for free.

Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world. 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.

Scott Kirby, United CEO

Additionally, United pilots, flight attendants, technicians, and gate agents will have access to the service on their mobile devices to help with operations and serve customers.

Why Is This a Big Deal?

With more and more people working remotely, gaming, streaming, and logging into social media every day, having a fast and reliable Wi-Fi signal feels like a basic necessity.

Currently, wireless internet on airplanes generally falls short of expectations. It is either nonexistent, expensive, or unreliable. Or, depending on the flight, all of the above. United and Starlink want to change that.

We’re excited to team up with United Airlines to transform the inflight experience. 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.

Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer at SpaceX

Passengers on board flights with Starlink can expect:

• Faster live streaming
• Better workplace productivity
• Gaming capabilities
• Online shopping options
• Live customer support via the United app

Final Thoughts

Starting this spring, United will begin testing and installing Starlink high-speed internet across its fleet of Embraer E-175 aircraft. United plans to add Starlink to its entire fleet in the upcoming years.

This is great news for customers who want to stay connected from gate to gate, and it’s especially nice because it will be free for passengers and crew as soon as this spring.