Carrier Expects to Take First Starlink-Served Flight in Spring 2025

United Airlines announced on January 5 that it would be moving up its timeline to bring Starlink connectivity service to commercial flights. The carrier hopes to take its first trip with Starlink by the spring and finish installing the technology on its entire two-cabin regional fleet before the end of the year.

United signed a contract with SpaceX in September 2024 to equip its entire fleet with Starlink. It originally planned to begin tests in early 2025, but not begin passenger flights until later on in the year. Now, the airline has confirmed that it will be starting tests in February. If all goes to plan, a United Embraer E-175 jet will host the first Starlink-served commercial flight this spring.

The carrier also expects to have Starlink technology installed on all of its two-cabin regional jets by the end of the year. These jets are operated by five sub-airlines: CommuteAir, GoJet Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways, and SkyWest Airlines. Their combined fleet size is nearly 450 aircraft, including the Bombardier CRJ200, CRJ550, CRJ700, ERJ-145, E170, and E175. Around 130 of these do not have a two-cabin layout and will not receive the Starlink package.

Further, United will fly its first Starlink-equipped mainline aircraft before the end of 2025. The rest of its nearly 1,000 mainline jets will be getting Starlink technology over the next several years.

"Everything you can do on the ground, you'll soon be able to do onboard a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world," stated United CEO Scott Kirby. "This connectivity opens the door for an even better inflight entertainment experience, in every seatback – more content, that's more personalized. United's culture of innovation is, once again, delivering big for our customers."

The Starlink service will be free to all of United’s Mileage Plus customers, allowing them to access streaming services, games, shopping, and other entertainment and productivity upgrades in flight.

"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," expressed Richard Nunn, CEO of United MileagePlus.

FMI: www.united.com