Federal regulators gave the go-ahead Monday for United Airlines to join forces with Starlink to launch its first commercial flight with the Wi-Fi system in May, according to the airline.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorized the use of satellite internet from Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, on United’s Embraer 175 aircraft, a company press release said. (RELATED: FAA Reportedly Considering Replacing Verizon With Musk’s Starlink For $2 Billion Air Traffic Control Contract)
Starlink is a satellite internet network that aims to provide “high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity across the globe, including to locations where internet has traditionally been too expensive, unreliable, or entirely unavailable,” according to their website.
“The FAA has approved our first aircraft equipped with the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky. That green light means we expect to install Starlink on 40+ planes a month, with our entire regional fleet being outfitted by the end of year,” United posted Monday to X.
The FAA has approved our first aircraft equipped with the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky. That green light means we expect to install Starlink on 40+ planes a month, with our entire regional fleet being outfitted by the end of year.
The first passenger flight that’ll let customers… pic.twitter.com/di9LRyFdG3
— United Airlines (@united) March 31, 2025
The airline claimed this would be the first passenger flight where customers would be able use their mobile devices just like they would be able to at home or in the office.
The company intends to carry out beta tests of Starlink before its first customer flight, according to the press release.
United claimed that Starlink is 50 times faster than the internet service that is currently offered on regional airliners. The company also said this service would be free for MileagePlus members, their free frequent flyer program.
The airline reached a deal with Starlink in September and set the goal of installing Starlink on over 1,000 planes over several years, according to Investopedia.
In January, United announced a fast-tracked timeline to bring Starlink to its customers, according to a press release.
“We have a lot planned for our MileagePlus members this year and adding Starlink to as many planes as we can – as quickly as we can – is at the center of it all,” United Airlines MileagePlus CEO Richard Nunn said.