United Airlines begins deploying Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet, starting with regional jets and expanding to its entire 1,687-aircraft fleet.
United Airlines is bringing Starlink’s satellite-based internet to its massive fleet, starting with Embraer E175 regional jets this week. The carrier announced that MileagePlus loyalty members will receive free access to the service, which delivers speeds up to 250 megabits per second â 50 times faster than current regional aircraft WiFi speeds according to a March 31 United Airlines statement.
The revolutionary system allows passengers to stream movies, play games, track flights on FlightRadar24, and use social media at altitude without waiting for the aircraft to reach 10,000 feet. Grant Milstead, United’s Vice President of Digital Technology, shared in a March 31 United Airlines statement, “We know customers are going to love this experience, and we think it will give them yet another reason to choose United, We’re working closely with Starlink and the FAA to finish installs on our regional fleet this year and bring the best inflight experience in the sky to more and more people.”
Technical Advantages Transform Operations
Starlink’s aviation system weighs just 85 pounds and uses electrical steering, significantly lighter than traditional WiFi equipment. Installation takes approximately four days per aircraft, including removal of previous equipment and post-installation testing â compared to over 10 days for conventional airborne WiFi systems.
United prioritizes its approximately 300 regional aircraft for initial Starlink installation. According to a March 4 statement, over 40 regional aircraft will receive the new system first. The carrier joins Qatar Airways and WestJet in adopting Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite technology.
Massive Fleet Conversion Ahead
United faces a monumental task converting its entire fleet. According to ch-aviation data, the mainline fleet comprises 968 active aircraft and 59 inactive, with 660 more on order, totaling 1,687 aircraft. The United Express regional fleet adds nearly 530 aircraft across seven types:
- Embraer E170
- Embraer E175
- Embraer EMB145
- Bombardier CRJ200
- Bombardier CRJ550
- Bombardier CRJ700
- Bombardier CRJ900
Each aircraft type requires Federal Aviation Administration approval through a Supplemental Type Certificate, certifying the modification won’t interfere with flight characteristics.
How Starlink Technology Works
Starlink operates through a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites positioned about 340 miles (550 kilometers) above Earth. The satellites interconnect using Ku-band frequencies and three optical space lasers per satellite to provide internet data with low latency.
The system’s low orbit enables faster response times compared to traditional satellite internet using higher-altitude satellites. Starlink’s aviation division has already connected over 55,000 flights for more than 110,000 flight hours globally, according to the company’s aviation customer webpage.
United’s implementation of Starlink represents a significant shift in how airlines approach in-flight connectivity, potentially setting new industry standards for passenger internet service.
Key Takeaways
- United Airlines begins Starlink WiFi deployment this week, starting with Embraer E175 regional jets.
- MileagePlus members receive free access to 250 Mbps speeds â 50 times faster than current regional WiFi.
- Installation takes 4 days versus 10+ days for traditional systems; equipment weighs only 85 pounds.
- United must secure FAA certification for each of its aircraft types across 1,687 total fleet aircraft.
- Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellites at 340 miles altitude provide superior connectivity compared to traditional satellite internet.
