Internet From Space! United Rolls Out Starlink Connected Access

Key Points Summary โ€” United Rolls Out Starlink

  • United Airlines adds SpaceXโ€™s Starlink Wi-Fi to its fleet
  • Free for MileagePlus members starting today
  • Offers speeds up to 217 Mbpsโ€”10x faster than old systems
  • Installs underway on 300 Embraer 175 jets by year-end
  • FAA has approved Starlink for more than 16 plane models
  • Non-members can access Wi-Fi, pricing still to be revealed
  • Global coverage includes remote areas and oceans

MileagePlus Members Get a Speed Boost

Flying United just got a serious tech upgrade.

Starting today, MileagePlus members can access blazing-fast Wi-Fi powered by Elon Muskโ€™s Starlink satellitesโ€”for free.

Itโ€™s a major leap for in-flight internet. Download speeds now hit up to 217 Mbps, with uploads topping 26 Mbps. Thatโ€™s a massive jump from current providers like Gogo or Viasat, which typically peak around 10 to 20 Mbps.

United is rolling out the service across its regional fleet.

By the end of 2025, more than 300 Embraer 175 aircraft will be outfitted with Starlink gear. Installations are happening at a pace of 40 planes per month.

Thanks to FAA approval, United can also bring the service to over 16 aircraft types across its network.

The upgrade means passengers will soon stream, work, or scroll on TikTok without frustrationโ€”even in the middle of the ocean.

Non-Members Still Welcomeโ€”For a Price

If youโ€™re not a MileagePlus member, you can still connect.

But thereโ€™s a catchโ€”United hasnโ€™t announced pricing yet. While competitors charge anywhere from $8 to $25 for onboard Wi-Fi, Starlinkโ€™s high performance may demand a premium.

Still, for loyalty members, the perk is completely free. Just download the United app before your flight and youโ€™re set.

Launched in 2020, Starlink is now the largest satellite network on Earth.

With over 6,000 low-Earth orbit satellites in operation, the system offers high-speed internet with low latencyโ€”even in hard-to-reach places.

What started with homes and RVs quickly expanded to maritime travelโ€”and now, Starlink is making its move in commercial aviation.

United Bets Big on Elon

Unitedโ€™s push to adopt Starlink is part of a larger bet on space-age technology.

By teaming with SpaceX, the airline is aiming to set itself apart in a highly competitive travel market where fast, free Wi-Fi can make or break a passengerโ€™s loyalty.

As United rolls out Starlink executives believe customers wonโ€™t just notice the speedโ€”theyโ€™ll feel it.

Faster Flights for Everyone

United says it plans to extend Starlink to more of its mainline aircraft over time.

The airline operates hundreds of flights daily across the globe. With Starlink onboard, travelers will soon enjoy consistent connectivity whether theyโ€™re flying from New York to Los Angelesโ€”or across the Atlantic.

And since Starlink works over water and in rural skies, coverage gaps should become a thing of the past.

United isnโ€™t just catching upโ€”itโ€™s aiming to lead.

With Starlinkโ€™s technology and global reach, the skies are no longer a dead zone for internet users.

Passengers wonโ€™t need to rely on spotty signals or overpriced hourly plans. Instead, theyโ€™ll tap into one of the fastest satellite systems ever launchedโ€”while soaring 35,000 feet in the air.

As United rolls out Starlink, the airline industry is about to see a whole new kind of turbulenceโ€”driven by speed, service, and serious competition.

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