United Airlines Expands Starlink Wi-Fi to Mainline Boeing 737 Fleet

United Airlines has begun rolling out SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed satellite internet across its mainline fleet, marking a major step forward in its plan to deliver free, reliable, and fast in-flight Wi-Fi to all passengers. The move follows the airline’s earlier installation of Starlink on its regional United Express Embraer 175 aircraft, which began earlier this year.

United initially equipped more than 40 regional aircraft per month, with the goal of covering its entire two-cabin regional fleet by the end of 2025. Now, the carrier is bringing the same next-generation connectivity to its mainline fleet, beginning with the Boeing 737-800. The first aircraft, registration N77525, recently re-entered service after maintenance and flew from Newark (EWR) to Houston (IAH), continuing to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) before returning to Houston—all while equipped with the new Starlink system.

Each 737-800 will feature two Starlink units to ensure robust, high-speed coverage for streaming, gaming, video conferencing, and real-time collaboration. United plans to retrofit 15 aircraft per month, steadily expanding the service to additional fleet types later this year. The long-term goal is to provide seamless Starlink access across both regional and mainline aircraft within the next few years.

David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer, emphasized that the new service is designed to transform the in-flight experience: “We’re committed to raising the bar when it comes to onboard connectivity. With Starlink, our customers can stream live sports, join video meetings, or just stay connected—all at the same quality they’d expect on the ground.”

Passengers can access the service free of charge by logging in with their MileagePlus account. However, the free access is ad-supported, requiring a brief 15-second advertisement before use. While this model helps offset costs, it ensures passengers enjoy high-speed internet without traditional Wi-Fi fees.

United joins a growing number of global carriers adopting Starlink, including Hawaiian Airlines and airBaltic, with several more expected to join soon. The low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite network offers significantly faster speeds and lower latency than traditional geostationary systems, allowing for real-time streaming and uninterrupted connectivity even over oceans or remote regions.

The competition in the LEO satellite space is intensifying, with Amazon’s Project Kuiper gearing up for launch. Similar to Starlink, Kuiper aims to create a global mesh network of satellites to deliver broadband connectivity. JetBlue has already partnered with Amazon as its first airline customer, planning to introduce free Wi-Fi powered by Kuiper starting in 2027.

United’s rapid Starlink rollout underscores the airline’s commitment to innovation and passenger satisfaction. As installation accelerates across its fleet, travelers can look forward to a consistently connected experience—whether flying across the U.S. or over long-haul international routes—cementing United’s position as a leader in next-generation in-flight connectivity.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, Starlink