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United Airlines has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved its first aircraft equipped with what it describes as the fastest Wi-Fi available in the sky. The airline plans to install Starlink, a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, on more than 40 planes per month and aims to complete its regional fleet upgrade by the end of the year. This announcement was made on March 31 via X.
United Airlines has partnered with SpaceX's Starlink to enhance in-flight connectivity, aiming to provide passengers with high-speed, low-latency internet access comparable to ground-based services. According to The Verge, this initiative reflects a broader trend in the aviation industry where airlines are increasingly adopting advanced satellite technologies to meet growing passenger demand for reliable in-flight Wi-Fi. United's collaboration with Starlink positions it among the pioneers in offering such advanced connectivity solutions.
The airline plans to retrofit approximately 40 regional jets per month with Starlink equipment, targeting upgrades for all 300 of its Embraer 175 planes by year's end. As reported by Reuters, the first commercial flight featuring Starlink Wi-Fi is scheduled for May. This rollout is part of United's broader strategy to equip its entire fleet with high-speed internet services over the next several years.
