United announces accelerated timeline for Starlink connectivity onboard
United plans to accelerate the timeline for offering Starlink onboard
United Airlines has announced an accelerated timeline to bring Starlink to United passengers. The airline said in a January 5 press release that it now expects to begin testing Starlink next month, with the first commercial flight planned for the spring on an E-175 aircraft. United now plans to outfit its entire two-cabin regional fleet by the end of this year and have its first mainline Starlink-enabled aircraft in the air before the end of this year. The airline will ultimately add Starlink to its entire fleet.
Access to connectivity via Starlink will be free for all MileagePlus passengers and includes inflight entertainment experiences like streaming services, shopping, gaming and more.
"We have a lot planned for our MileagePlus members this year and adding Starlink to as many planes as we can – as quickly as we can – is at the center of it all," said Richard Nunn, CEO of United MileagePlus. "It's not only going to revolutionize the experience of flying United, but it's also going to unlock tons of new partnerships and benefits for our members that otherwise wouldn't be possible."
This update comes following United’s agreement with SpaceX in September to bring Starlink to its entire fleet.
