- United Airlines has received clearance to offer Starlink Wi-Fi service on regional jets starting next month. The service will be free for members of the carrier’s frequent-flyer program. Other aircraft models will have to wait a while longer, as the companies are still in the process of getting FAA approval for those jets.
Passengers on a United Airlines regional jet will be among the first to test Starlink in-flight internet next month.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the use of the Elon Musk–owned satellite internet service on United starting in May. The company plans to install Starlink on 40 planes per month, and says the Wi-Fi will be available on all regional jets by the end of the year.
United and Starlink claim the Wi-Fi service is 50 times faster than current in-flight Wi-Fi speeds, with users able to access streaming services and watch live TV without buffering, play video games on live game-streaming services, and connect multiple devices at the same time.
The service will be offered free to members of United’s frequent-flyer program, compared to the $8 to $10 they currently pay. Beta tests will be run by the carrier on some flights in April before the formal launch to work out any kinks.
It was just eight months ago that United and Starlink struck a deal to work together.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do onboard a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” said United CEO Scott Kirby in a statement at the time. “This connectivity opens the door for an even better in-flight entertainment experience, in every seatback.”
The launch of free Wi-Fi will make United the second major carrier to offer that particular perk. Delta Air Linesbegan offering the amenity to members of its frequent-flyer program on domestic flights last year. Smaller airlines such as JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines also offer free in-flight Wi-Fi.
While regional jets will get the upgrade, cross-country flights will have to wait. United and Starlink are still in the process of gaining FAA approval for other United aircraft models.