Airline Installs Starlink Internet on its First 737-800 Aircraft

United Airlines has been given the official FAA nod to put Starlink technology on its mainline fleet, and it isn’t wasting time: the equipment has already been installed on the carrier’s first 737-800, with plans to proceed with 50 regional jet installations per month and begin customer flights on October 15.

The carrier has already been busy on the regional side, fitting Starlink antennas on more than half of its Embraer 175s and other regional jets since May. According to Grant Milstead, United’s VP of Digital Technology, the feedback has been solid: “Customers are loving the Starlink experience onboard our regional aircraft, and our first Starlink-equipped mainline aircraft will bring a superior in-flight experience to even more people.”

After a predictably long wait, the FAA has granted a supplemental type certificate amendment for United’s 737-800, essentially assuring that the installation is legal and safe. The process covers the design, testing, and installation of the system, and United says the gear is lighter, more reliable, and easier to maintain than the older satellite systems it replaces. Less weight supposedly means less fuel burn… though any savings are unlikely to make much of a dent in operating costs.

United is pitching the service as “the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky,” with speeds advertised up to 250 Mbps. Access is free for MileagePlus members, and the airline is promising entertainment upgrades, including streaming, gaming, and even shopping.

The broader plan is ambitious. United and SpaceX are working on certifications for more than 16 aircraft types across both regional and mainline fleets. As proven with the past STC, each approval takes time, meaning the rollout will be staggered. Still, the airline insists that Starlink will be available across the system sooner rather than later.

While Starlink in the cabin isn’t new, United claims to be the first US legacy carrier to commit across its mainline fleet. This will put the service to the test on arguably its largest scale yet.

FMI: www.united.com