United Airlines has announced a groundbreaking deal to provide free inflight Wi-Fi across its fleet, thanks to a new partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink. This deal marks the largest inflight internet agreement yet for the satellite service provider.
As airlines strive to enhance their inflight services to attract premium customers, including business travelers, faster and more reliable Wi-Fi has become a key feature. Delta Air Lines, for example, recently made onboard internet free for its SkyMiles loyalty members. Hawaiian Airlines and JetBlue Airways also offer complimentary Wi-Fi, with Hawaiian partnering with Starlink and JetBlue providing free access for years.
United Airlines currently sources its inflight internet from multiple providers, such as ViaSat and Panasonic, and charges $8 for loyalty members and $10 for others on domestic and short-haul international flights. With this new partnership, United plans to equip over 1,000 aircraft with Starlink technology over the next few years. The service will offer “gate-to-gate” connectivity, ensuring seamless internet access from departure to arrival.
Starlink’s global network promises internet coverage in areas previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals, including over oceans, polar regions, and remote locations. This extensive coverage is particularly advantageous for United Airlines, which operates a significant number of international flights across both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Since its launch in 2020, SpaceX’s Starlink network has grown to include approximately 6,000 satellites in orbit, connecting more than 3 million customers across 100 countries. Originally aimed at consumer markets, Starlink has expanded into aviation, marking a significant milestone with this latest partnership.
Stay tuned for more updates as United Airlines prepares to roll out free Starlink Wi-Fi on its flights, promising a new standard in inflight connectivity.
