United Airlines has begun installations of Starlink internet on its regional aircraft, expecting to outfit more than 300 by the end of the year.
The first of its aircraft to have the service installed is an Embraer E175 operated by SkyWest. Beginning in May the airline plans to outfit roughly 40 aircraft per month through December to reach its target.
While it is starting with its regional two-cabin fleet, ultimately United will add Starlink to all its aircraft, with full rollout planned to take place over the next few years. The carrier anticipates installing Starlink on its first mainline aircraft by the end of the year, though it is not yet disclosing which aircraft type. United has a mainline fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft, according to the Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database. Currently, 930 are in service, Fleet Discovery shows.
“Our ability to roll-out this innovative service with unprecedented speed and scale is a direct result of the advanced equipment, technology and team of experts at United,” United VP of Digital Technology Grant Milstead said in laying out the carrier’s goal of more than 300 regional aircraft installations before the end of 2025.
During installations, each aircraft is taken out of service for four days from start to finish, United detailed, a process that includes removal of the existing service, fitting the new equipment, testing and other work. New equipment to be installed includes an internal reinforcement structure, external antenna and main cabin wireless access points and power supply. On its own, the average Starlink install time takes about eight hours, the carrier described.
When available onboard its regional aircraft, customers will have access to Wi-Fi speeds of up to 250 megabits per second, about 50 times faster than United's current regional aircraft connectivity speeds, the airline said.
Starlink access will be free for all MileagePlus customers.
Engineered and operated by SpaceX, Starlink connectivity is delivered through a network of satellites in low orbit. United signed its agreement with the provider in September 2024.
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