Quantcast

United Airlines plans fleet-wide deployment of fast Starlink internet

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
United Airlines plans fleet-wide deployment of fast Starlink internet
Research
Webp p18pueyozwbyaegyt1fzg7i1qaau
View from the Wing | View from the Wing

United Airlines has announced plans to deploy Starlink internet across its entire fleet, offering the fastest in-flight internet service at no additional cost to passengers. Initial tests are scheduled for early next year, with the first passenger flight featuring the new technology expected later in 2025. Over the next few years, United will roll out Starlink on both mainline and regional jets.

The low Earth orbit satellites used by Starlink promise minimal latency and download speeds of up to 200 Mbps. This is a significant upgrade from current offerings, which many passengers have found lacking. "Incredible. I've gotten as much as 80 Mbps down on this @flyjsx flight with @SpaceX#Starlink internet," tweeted Gary Leff in March 2023.

Once fully implemented, United’s service will surpass that of Delta and JetBlue, which currently offer free but slower wifi, and American Airlines, which charges higher fees for similar services. Despite recent improvements, United's current wifi performance remains subpar compared to competitors like Southwest.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

United CEO Scott Kirby has long advocated for free inflight wifi, citing increased bandwidth as a key factor. The airline aims to allow customers to use multiple devices simultaneously without additional costs. "Paid wifi isn’t just a revenue generator; it’s also a way to limit demands on the system and keep it usable," Kirby noted.

American Airlines has faced challenges with its wifi strategy. Seven years ago, they promised free inflight messaging but failed to deliver. They continue to charge $20-$30 per flight for wifi while competitors move towards free services or lower prices. Southwest and Alaska charge $8 per flight, while JetBlue and Delta offer generally free access.

American's CEO Robert Isom acknowledged the high costs associated with satellite-based wifi services: "What you’re talking about ultimately is something that would be an expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars... So it’s something that we are out there and making sure we’re conscious of."

Deploying the new technology across United's fleet will take time due to logistical challenges involving around 1,000 aircraft. Each installation requires taking planes out of service briefly without disrupting schedules significantly.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

IndiGo has launched a new service from Mumbai to Seychelles, marking the first Indian carrier to operate this route in two decades.

Apr 1, 2025

Delta Air Lines has made changes to its flight operations between Detroit and Los Angeles, removing the Airbus A350-900 from the route's schedule.

Apr 1, 2025

Allegiant Air has announced the appointment of Victor Cipolla as manager of Inflight Training Operations.

Mar 31, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the official launch of a global cabin crew training program by Ethiopian Aviation University.

Mar 31, 2025

Atlas Air has announced that certified flight instructors from the Atlas Cadet Academy have commenced hands-on professional development at the Atlas Training Center.

Mar 31, 2025

Hector Nazario, the husband of Kenia Nazario, who is employed at Flying Food Group (FFG), expressed concerns about the union Unite Here.

Mar 31, 2025