United Airlines has received the green light from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its first mainline aircraft equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet, marking a significant milestone in the airline industry. The inaugural customer flight is set to depart from Newark/New York on October 15.
The FAA recently approved an amendment to Starlink’s Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Boeing 737-800, paving the way for United’s first Starlink-equipped mainline aircraft to take flight. Installation has already been completed on the airline’s first 737-800, showcasing a rapid implementation process.
This achievement follows closely on the heels of United’s first Starlink-equipped customer flight on a regional Embraer 175 aircraft back in March. The airline has been on a mission to bring free Starlink Wi-Fi to over 1,000 planes across its mainline and regional fleets, with plans unveiled just a year ago. United has been making significant progress in this endeavor, with around 50 regional jets being equipped with Starlink every month. More than half of United’s regional fleet is already equipped, highlighting the airline’s commitment to providing a superior in-flight experience to its customers.
Grant Milstead, United’s VP of Digital Technology, expressed excitement about the Starlink integration, stating that customers have been loving the experience onboard regional aircraft. The addition of Starlink to mainline aircraft will further enhance the inflight entertainment experience, offering features such as streaming services, shopping, gaming, and more.
Starlink, developed and operated by SpaceX, offers speeds of up to 250 Mbps and is available free of charge for all MileagePlus members. The lightweight and weather-resistant equipment is quicker to install and improves reliability compared to traditional in-flight connectivity systems. Starlink is in the process of securing FAA STCs to cover installation on all United aircraft models slated for the upgrade, encompassing more than 16 regional and mainline types in total.
The popularity of SpaceX’s satellite internet has been steadily growing in the aviation industry, with more airlines adopting the technology. Canada’s WestJet recently announced plans to roll out free Starlink Wi-Fi across its Boeing fleet, while Air Canada is equipping its regional aircraft with Starlink as part of a modernization project.
With United now bringing Starlink to its mainline fleet, passengers on larger aircraft can look forward to the same fast and consistent Wi-Fi experience that regional customers have been enjoying since earlier this year. This advancement marks a significant step forward in enhancing the overall travel experience for United Airlines passengers.