United Airlines has officially launched its partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink by installing the satellite-based internet service on its first aircraft. The airline, which operates over 1,000 aircraft, plans to roll out Starlink across its entire fleet, starting with more than 300 jets by the end of 2025.
According to United Airlines, the first aircraft to receive the upgrade was a SkyWest-operated Embraer E175, which underwent installation at a maintenance facility in Nashville, making United the first major U.S. airline to integrate Starlink.
With the successful installation, United expects to be able to complete 40 installations each month moving forward through the rest of the year, one of the most aggressive in-flight connectivity upgrades in the airline industry. These installations will include their larger Boeing and Airbus jets.
United says that each aircraft installation will take approximately eight hours, which is ten times faster than traditional in-flight internet systems. While some minor testing and final modifications extend the process to a total of four days per aircraft, this is still significantly quicker than the 10-day downtime required for legacy systems.
Additionally, Starlink’s hardware is lightweight, weighing in at just 85 pounds—far lighter than traditional in-flight internet equipment, which can weigh up to 300 pounds. This reduction in weight translates into improved fuel efficiency, a critical factor for airlines looking to cut costs and reduce their carbon footprint.
United’s move to install Starlink is part of a broader industry shift toward Starlink for in-flight connectivity. Airlines like Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways have already adopted Starlink for their fleets, with many others also signed up.
Starlink offers high-speed internet with speeds of up to 250 Mbps—nearly 50 times faster than previous aircraft connectivity options. This will allow passengers to seamlessly stream movies, browse the web, shop online, and even enjoy online gaming, all from 40,000 feet in the air.
Beyond passenger convenience, Starlink’s benefits also extend to airline operations. Real-time data transmission can improve flight monitoring, maintenance scheduling, and operational efficiency, leading to cost savings and enhanced safety measures.
