United Airlines Accelerates Starlink WiFi Rollout Across Fleet

United Airlines has completed Starlink installations on more than 300 regional aircraft, representing over 25% of its daily departures. The carrier expects to equip more than 500 mainline aircraft by the end of 2026, aiming for full fleet deployment by 2027. Installation is proceeding at an accelerated pace, with United planning to install up to 15 Boeing 737-800 aircraft monthly.

Enhanced Passenger Experience

Passenger satisfaction scores nearly doubled on Starlink-equipped aircraft compared to previous systems. Over the first 10 months of operation, United flew more than seven million passengers across 129,000 flights powered by the service. The new system replaces legacy hardware weighing up to 300 pounds and adds minimal fuel impact due to its streamlined antenna profile. Unlike competing inflight WiFi providers, Starlink is provided free to all passengers regardless of cabin class.

Strategic Partnership and Fleet Integration

United became Starlink's largest airline customer when announcing the record-breaking deal in September 2024. The carrier is collaborating with SpaceX to secure Federal Aviation Administration approval for installation on more than a dozen aircraft models, including Boeing 777s and Airbus A321 family jets. Grant Milstead, United's vice president of Digital Technology, stated that the milestone for the regional fleet is just the beginning of the airline's commitment to bring innovative service to the entire fleet.