United has today announced that they have accelerated the timeline for the rollout of Starlink’s industry-leading onboard connectivity experience. The first Starlink-equipped flight will enter service this spring and the entire regional fleet will be outfitted by the end of 2025.
On Sunday (January 5, 2025), United Airlines announced the acceleration of the rollout of Starlink’s industry leading onboard connectivity experience. The carrier’s first commercial Starlink-equipped flight will take to the skies this spring, with the entire two-class regional fleet to be outfitted by year-end 2025, while the first equipped mainline aircraft is expected to fly before the end of the year. Access will be complimentary for all MileagePlus® members, and includes inflight entertainment experiences such as streaming services, shopping, gaming and more.
In Sunday’s announcement, United MileagePlus’ CEO, Richard Nunn, said,
“We have a lot planned for our MileagePlus members this year and adding Starlink to as many planes as we can – as quickly as we can – is at the center of it all. It’s not only going to revolutionize the experience of flying United, but it's also going to unlock tons of new partnerships and benefits for our members that otherwise wouldn't be possible.”
United expects to begin testing Starlink next month with the first commercial Embraer E175 expected take off this spring. Ultimately, United’s entire fleet will be equipped with Starlink, and as previously mentioned, the first mainline aircraft will be outfitted before the end of 2025.
Last September, United signed the industry’s largest agreement of its kind with SpaceX to bring Starlink, the world’s fastest, most reliable connectivity in the sky to United customers worldwide. This gate-to-gate connectivity will enable inflight experiences at scale that no other Major U.S. carrier offers. This gate-to-gate connectivity will enable experiences in the sky at scale that no other major U.S. airline provides. MileagePlus membership is free, and customers can sign up now by clicking here.
Source: United Airlines