United Airlines plans fleet-wide deployment of fast Starlink internet

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United Airlines plans fleet-wide deployment of fast Starlink internet

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By Sky Industry News

Sep 13, 2024

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.

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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.