CHICAGO- United Airlines (UA) is set to bring free Starlink Wi-Fi to more than 1,000 aircraft across its fleet. The carrier, which has historically been behind American (AA) and Delta (DL) in onboard connectivity, is now positioning itself as a technology leader in the U.S. aviation market.
The rollout began earlier this year as the first United Express Embraer E175s (E75) entered service with Starlink in May 2025. Now, United is preparing to equip its mainline aircraft, starting with the Boeing 737-800, which will enter service with Starlink from October 15, 2025.
Photo: Flight SimulatorUnited Airlines partners with SpaceX for Starlink Wi-Fi
United Airlines has partnered with SpaceX to install Starlink Wi-Fi on more than 1,000 jets, making it the largest Starlink agreement announced by any airline to date.
The airline has confirmed that the service will be offered free of charge to all MileagePlus members, aligning with Delta’s strategy of providing fast and free connectivity.
Starlink’s low-latency broadband offers passengers the ability to stream content, engage in online gaming, shop, and conduct business tasks with speeds similar to those on the ground.
According to One Mile at a Time, the service is gate-to-gate, meaning passengers remain connected throughout the journey.
Photo: AirbusUnited’s Starlink installation timeline
To install Starlink across its fleet, United requires Supplemental Type Certification (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for each aircraft type.
This covers 16 different regional and mainline models. The installation process itself is relatively fast, averaging eight hours per aircraft, which is ten times quicker than other Wi-Fi systems.
As of September 2025, more than half of United Express regional jets have already been fitted with Starlink, with installations continuing at a pace of 50 or more aircraft per month. The airline expects to complete this phase by the end of the year.
Following the approval of the Boeing 737-800, additional 737 variants will be fitted in quick succession.
Photo: Clément AlloingPlan for Widebody Fleet
United has also confirmed that its upcoming Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (789), featuring new Polaris seats and Polaris Studio, will be among the first wide body aircraft to receive Starlink.
These jets are expected to begin international operations in early 2026, offering long-haul passengers high-speed connectivity.
The integration will replace the patchwork of providers currently used across United’s fleet, including Panasonic, Viasat, Thales, and Intelsat.
Although it will take several years to fully transition, the Starlink upgrade is a step toward consistent and reliable inflight Wi-Fi across all United aircraft.
Photo: By Joao Carlos Medau from Campinas, Brazil – United Airbus A319, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37258487Bottom Line
United Airlines’ rollout of free Starlink Wi-Fi marks a major turning point for the carrier’s onboard connectivity strategy.
With installations underway on regional jets and mainline aircraft beginning with the Boeing 737-800, the airline plans to extend the service to over 1,000 planes in the coming years.
Once complete, United will not only match but potentially surpass its competitors in inflight connectivity, offering passengers a seamless digital experience in the skies.
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