United’s First Starlink-Equipped Mainline Jet Will Fly From Newark in Mid-October

Updated: September 26, 2025, 10:57am CDT

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First Mainline United Jet With Starlink Flying Soon
Final Thoughts

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United Airlines has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly mainline jets with its new Starlink inflight Wi-Fi, which it’s been installing on regional jets for the last several months.

With FAA approval in hand, the airline plans to operate the first Starlink-equipped mainline flight from its Newark hub in mid-October. Here’s what you need to know.

First Mainline United Jet With Starlink Flying Soon

Less than a year ago, United Airlines signed an agreement with SpaceX to equip its Starlink satellite Wi-Fi service on much of its fleet and provide it for free to United MileagePlus members. Since then, the airline has worked to install the service on its fleet of regional jets.

Now, the project is moving to the airline’s mainline fleet, with the FAA having approved Starlink’s Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Boeing 737-800 aircraft type. United says it’s already installed Starlink on the first 737-800, and it’s set to fly on October 15, 2025, from Newark (EWR). Specific flight details are not available at this time.

United Starlink Boeing 737-800 — Image Credit: United Airlines

Upgraded Points was on board a special media preview flight for a United regional jet equipped with Starlink inflight Wi-Fi in early May, and we found the experience to be seamless and fast — similar to a browsing experience you’d get on the ground. Since then, United says it has retrofitted about half of its regional jet fleet, completing roughly 50 installations per month in the less than 5 months since that preview flight.

Flyers have seemingly agreed with our initial assessment. “Customers are loving the Starlink experience onboard our regional aircraft, and our first Starlink-equipped mainline aircraft will bring a superior inflight experience to even more people,” said Grant Milstead, United’s vice president of digital technology.

Now that FAA approval has been granted for the 737-800, United is working to secure approval for all aircraft types in its fleet — a total of 16 variants across its regional and mainline fleets.

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Final Thoughts

United’s Starlink installation is proceeding quickly, with over half of its regional jets already equipped. Now, mainline jets are set to receive the speedy inflight Wi-Fi, starting with the Boeing 737-800. If you’re flying from Newark on October 15, pay attention to your reservation. You may be one of the lucky ones on board the first Starlink-equipped mainline jet!