A few months ago, United Airlines announced a deal with Starlink to offer in-flight internet access to passengers. At the time, the airline said it would begin testing the new service in early 2024 and then offer passenger flights by the end of the year. United has now accelerated this timeline, with trials starting next month and the first passenger flight to offer Starlink, an Embraer E-175 regional jet, due this spring. When I spoke with United’s Chief Customer Officer, Linda Jojo, she told me that the company has an aggressive schedule for the retrofit, with the installation of the new Starlink terminal scheduled for about two days while the aircraft is at the base (with the option to split the installation over two nights, too). United now expects to install Starlink on its entire regional fleet by the end of the year. The first major aircraft (think Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s) will get Starlink before the end of the year. The promise here is that Starlink will make the in-flight Wi-Fi experience the same as in the field, with enough bandwidth to allow anyone on board to stream live video, access productivity apps and play live games. “We have big plans for MileagePlus members this year and we’re adding Starlink service on more planes – very quickly – to be at the center of everything,” said Richard Nunn, CEO of United’s frequent flyer program MileagePlus. . “Not only will it revolutionize the United flying experience, but it will also unlock new partnerships and benefits for members that may not otherwise be available.” Once available, Wi-Fi via Starlink will be free for all members of United’s MileagePlus program. Fliers will also be able to connect with multiple devices on the same account.
