United Airlines is set to trial Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communication technology for high-speed in-flight internet in February, according to The Independent.
The airline announced that the first commercial aircraft equipped with Starlink, an Embraer E-175, will take flight this spring. Additionally, the first mainline aircraft utilizing Starlink is expected to launch by December of this year. By the end of 2025, United Airlines aims to retrofit its entire regional fleet of dual-cabin aircraft with the Starlink technology.
Notably, the service will be offered free of charge to members of United Airlines’ MileagePlus program. This loyalty program rewards frequent flyers with travel benefits based on specific ticket types.
Free Wi-Fi in Passenger Aircraft: Current Trends
As of summer 2024, free Wi-Fi was available on only a limited number of airlines, including JetBlue, Air New Zealand, and China Eastern. Budget airlines, such as Ryanair, often do not provide Wi-Fi services at all. United’s adoption of Starlink technology marks a significant step forward in enhancing passenger connectivity during flights.
