• United Airlines will begin testing Starlink for in-flight internet services in February 2025, with a full rollout by the end of 2025.
  • Access to Starlink will be free only for MileagePlus members, revising the earlier plan to offer free Wi-Fi to all passengers.

United Airlines announced on Sunday that it expects to begin testing Elon Musk's Starlink in February 2025, marking the start of its new in-flight internet services. The airline will first offer the service on a commercial flight operated by Embraer E-175 aircraft, with a broader rollout scheduled for spring 2025.

United plans to equip its entire two-cabin regional fleet with Starlink by the end of 2025, with the first Starlink-enabled plane set to fly on major routes before the year's close. Ultimately, Starlink will be available across all United flights, providing internet connectivity to millions of passengers globally.

However, the airline has updated its earlier plan to offer free Wi-Fi to all passengers. Instead, access will be complimentary only for MileagePlus members, as stated in a recent announcement.

This move follows United’s deal with Starlink last year, which will provide in-flight internet across the airline’s fleet of over 1,000 aircraft in the coming years. Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has secured similar agreements with other airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines and regional carrier JSX, as it seeks to expand its services beyond households and rural areas with limited internet access.

As Starlink expands its reach, United Airlines’ new initiative sets the stage for an enhanced travel experience, connecting passengers with faster, more reliable internet services on flights around the world. This step into the future of air travel highlights the growing demand for seamless connectivity, whether for work, entertainment, or communication during flights.

United Airlines’ partnership with Starlink will ensure that passengers experience the benefits of cutting-edge satellite internet technology in the sky, transforming the in-flight experience for millions of travelers.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah