Update, 3/7/25: United has finished installation of Starlink on its first regional aircraft. Speeds will go up to 250 Mbps, some 50 times faster than current in-flight WiFi on the regional fleet and will be free for all MileagePlus members.
As someone who often works on planes, this is a real game-changer for productivity!
United says it will add Starlink to more than 40 regional aircraft per month from May through December 2025, at which point all of United’s regional aircraft will have Starlink onboard. It will take several years before Starlink is added to all United mainline aircraft.
United notes that installing Starlink and removing old WiFi equipment takes just 8 hours, compared to 80 hours for other in-flight WiFi providers.
More Starlink data from United:
- Streamlined equipment: The entire Starlink installation kit weighs 85 pounds, compared to other inflight provider kits that can weigh up to 300 pounds, and is electronically steered with no moving parts, making it easier to transport and install and requiring less maintenance.
- Simple install: Streamlined equipment means a simpler install. Once an aircraft is taken out of service for the install, the existing Wi-Fi is uninstalled. Then the Starlink equipment is installed, including an internal reinforcement structure, external antenna and main cabin wireless access points and power supply. Finally, the team runs system checks before and after closing the interior.
- More fuel-efficient: Starlink‘s 85 pound footprint on the aircraft means the aircraft requires less fuel to operate than with other inflight providers.
- Weather-proofed: Weather on the ground doesn’t hinder connectivity thanks to a weather-proofed inter-satellite laser link technology that allows satellites to communicate to each other and the ground reliably.
- More reliable: Starlink-equipped aircraft will constantly switch between Starlink‘s world’s largest, low-earth orbit constellation of satellites to ensure the best coverage and most reliable Wi-Fi onboard.
Post a comment if you fly with Starlink on United!
Update, 9/13/24: United has indeed announced free Starlink in-flight internet fleetwide! Testing will begin in early 2025 and planes will start being outfitted with it later in the year. As expected, it will take several years to retrofit the entire fleet.
Starlink will support gate-to-gate browsing, streaming, social media, and gaming worldwide.
The world's most advanced high-speed Wi-Fi is coming to United with @Starlink. For free.
You’ll be able to stream, game, shop and more on seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously. Expect the same internet you get on the ground… at 35,000 feet. We expect to have… pic.twitter.com/M6ZihBBEnb
— United Airlines (@united) September 13, 2024
While airlines like American are ripping out seatback screens, including from their A321Ts, United continues to add them, equipped with Bluetooth connectivity.
Originally posted on 9/12/24:
United’s in-flight Wi-Fi consists of a hodgepodge of networks, some of which have decent speeds, and others that are painstakingly slow and unreliable.
United’s social media is teasing an announcement for 8am tomorrow:
Something big is coming to the skies. ✈️
September 13 at 8 a.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/aQlcnEZj3l— United Airlines (@united) September 12, 2024
Assuming that United isn’t planning on offering service to outer space, it sure looks to me like United will announce that SpaceX Starlink will be their new in-flight WiFi provider.
I used free Starlink on a JSX flight from Burbank to Oakland exactly 1 year ago, and the speeds were awesome:
Here’s hoping that guess is right and that United plans on installing it fleetwide within a somewhat reasonable timeframe. Though with how long it took United to roll out Polaris, I won’t be holding my breath.
What do you think United will announce tomorrow?
Leave a Reply
15 Comments On "[Starlink Installation Has Begun!] Is United Going To Announce Starlink In-Flight Internet Tomorrow?"
All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.
Seems much more like they’re announcing more about the addition of Overtures to their fleet
JonXNYC had some inside news on this a few weeks ago.
Also, it takes much faster to install a star link receiver on planes than retrofit all the seats, I’ve seen reports of an hour turnaround time, which can be done without taking the plane out of service for maintenance.
This would be a major improvement, especially if T-Mobile users keep their free Internet.
They will fly Boeing planes to space.
Any thoughts on what that would mean for TMobile inflight benefit
worthless once this kicks in as it will be free to everyone
Would love to get those types of speeds. The more amazing part are those ping times.
Standard flight WiFi is average 600-1000 MS AKA as basically unusable besides messaging.
Just hope it will be free of charge for united members just like jsx
Will we finally be able to zoom conference on the flights? That’ll be a load of fun.
This is great news
Are they going to filter it? I know they won’t have a filter acceptable to us…. but do I have to worry about myself or even worse… my kids on a flight while the guy next to him is looking at something severely inappropriate on his own device? I even wonder about what they show looking at the doorbell or as suggested… Zoom conferences. Try talking on a conference on a plane?! You’ll have some very loud people disturbing everyone. Between inappropriate material and today’s general lack of etiquette… this could be somewhat disastrous to the quality of life on flights.
Most airlines have a rule banning in flight voice conferences/wifi calling.
I would be shocked if they don’t put some sort of content filter.
You already have to worry. A few years ago I flew and you could watch Deadpool on the seat backs, so if your neighbor was watching it, you would still need to shield your eyes during certain parts
This will be great depending on the rollout. If it takes 3 years and has delays then you’re still better off flying Delta or Jetblue.
This is wonderful news. I will be sure to use it next June if United decides to finally resume flights to Israel.
Can elal get it