United Airlines Rolls Out SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi on Regional Aircraft

United Airlines has announced the launch of SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi system on its regional aircraft fleet. The airline revealed the rollout on March 7, 2025, highlighting the technical benefits of the equipment, including its size, weight, ease of installation, and maintenance. This follows United’s September 2024 agreement with SpaceX, marking the airline’s largest contract of its kind in the industry.

In January 2025, United accelerated the timeline to bring Starlink to passengers by deploying the system on its regional jets. The first aircraft, an Embraer E175 regional jet, has already been retrofitted, and United plans to outfit its entire two-cabin regional fleet by the end of 2025. The carrier also aims to have its first mainline Starlink-enabled aircraft in operation before the year’s end. Ultimately, United will add Starlink to its entire fleet, with Wi-Fi access free for all MileagePlus loyalty program members.

United intends to install Starlink on over 40 regional aircraft each month starting in May through the end of 2025. The airline estimates the installation process takes about eight hours per aircraft, significantly faster than traditional Wi-Fi installations, which take ten times longer. This quick turnaround is attributed to Starlink’s lighter and more efficient setup, with the equipment weighing just 85 pounds (38.5kg), compared to up to 300 pounds (136kg) for other inflight Wi-Fi kits.

Starlink-equipped regional aircraft will offer Wi-Fi speeds of up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps), approximately 50 times faster than current regional aircraft connections. To complete the installation, each aircraft is taken out of service for four days to de-install existing equipment, install Starlink components, run system tests, and reassemble the aircraft.

United’s VP of Digital Technology, Grant Milstead, emphasized that the swift rollout is made possible by the airline’s advanced equipment and technology, combined with the collaborative efforts of the United and Starlink teams. The airline aims to complete over 300 regional aircraft installations by the end of 2025.

Richard Nunn, CEO of United MileagePlus, highlighted that the addition of Starlink will revolutionize the in-flight experience, offering new opportunities for partnerships and benefits for MileagePlus members.

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