United Airlines is gearing up to offer passengers faster, more reliable inflight internet by bringing SpaceX’s Starlink to its fleet. The airline, which originally announced their partnership with SpaceX in September last year, says it will begin testing the service in February, with the first commercial flight equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi expected this spring on an Embraer E-175 regional jet.
United plans to complete the rollout across its two-cabin regional fleet by the end of 2025 and introduce the service to mainline aircraft before the year is over.
United’s rollout strategy focuses first on regional jets, many of which currently rely on outdated air-to-ground systems that lose connection below 10,000 feet. These planes, frequently used for shorter domestic routes, often leave passengers with little to no internet access during key portions of their flights.
The Embraer E-175 will lead the charge, with Starlink installations extending across United’s entire two-cabin regional jet fleet by year’s end.
Mainline aircraft, including larger Airbus and Boeing planes, will receive Starlink Wi-Fi installations later in the year, with the first expected to take flight by December. Ultimately, United plans to outfit its entire fleet, ensuring consistent connectivity regardless of route or aircraft type.
Free Wi-Fi for MileagePlus Members
While the upgraded Wi-Fi will eventually be available to all passengers, United announced that it will be free exclusively for members of its MileagePlus loyalty program. This mirrors similar strategies by competitors like Delta, which introduced free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members in 2023.
Passengers who aren’t part of the program will still have access to the service but will need to wait until United reveals pricing closer to the rollout date.
MileagePlus membership is free to join, providing additional perks such as mile pooling with family and friends, no blackout dates for award seats, and the ability to use miles for in-flight purchases.
