United Airlines has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for its first aircraft equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink. The milestone clears the runway for United’s first commercial Starlink-powered flight to take off this May — less than eight months after United and SpaceX first announced their partnership.
According to United, the FAA granted a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Embraer 175, part of United’s regional United Express fleet. This certification marks the first step in a much larger rollout. United has previously announced plans to install Starlink systems on roughly 40 regional jets per month, aiming to have more than 300 two-cabin regional aircraft fully equipped before the year ends.
“We know customers are going to love this experience, and we think it will give them yet another reason to choose United. We’re working closely with Starlink and the FAA to finish installs on our regional fleet this year and bring the best inflight experience in the sky to more and more people,” said Grant Milstead, United’s Vice President of Digital Technology.
Before the official launch in May, United will conduct beta tests on select flights to ensure the system meets reliability and performance standards. Once fully implemented, Starlink will bring high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi capable of up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps) — 50 times faster than typical speeds currently available on regional aircraft.
The airline is working with Starlink and the FAA to certify more than 16 additional aircraft types, including larger mainline jets, in the coming years.
Unlike traditional satellite systems, the Starlink hardware is lighter, smaller, and easier to maintain. The system’s lower weight helps reduce fuel consumption, while its design allows for quicker installations and improved reliability, even in adverse weather conditions.
As with many other airlines that have adopted Starlink, United will make access free for all MileagePlus members, it’s free customer loyalty program.
