The airline said in a statement that the service will be free for passengers and will allow them to connect multiple devices.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and offer it on some flights by late 2025. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes at a time when airlines are rushing to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers choose a carrier for travel. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane almost like sitting on the floor when it comes to browsing the web, streaming entertainment and playing games.
SITUATION IN OTHER COMPANIES
Delta Air Lines began offering free in-flight Wi-Fi last year using Viasat, a rival to Starlink. Hawaiian Airlines uses Starlink for free internet service on Airbus A321neo flights between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. United plans a more aggressive rollout across its fleet of more than 1,000 United and United Express aircraft.
Linda Jojo, United’s chief customer officer, said U.S. passengers now expect free WiFi, and it has become one of the most sought-after in-flight amenities among travelers of all types.
“It doesn’t matter where you sit on the plane, it doesn’t matter how much you pay for your ticket, you will benefit from this service,” Jojo said.
Starlink will allow passengers to have internet access even over oceans and in polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or absent.
SpaceX owner Elon Musk has emerged as a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, hosting the former president in a friendly chat at the X and making several pro-Republican posts. United weighed the potential repercussions of doing business with a partisan figure in a politically divided country.
“We are certainly aware that SpaceX and Starlink are controlled by Elon Musk and what he has said publicly. We have certainly talked about that, but it always comes back to our customer and that is a significant customer benefit,” Jojo said.
