While there are lots of areas where United Airlines has been improving, Wi-Fi is an area where the carrier has historically lagged both American and Delta. Fortunately that’s changing — in September 2024, United announced plans to introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi throughout its fleet.
The airline has been making fantastic progress with rolling this out, and has now provided an update on the rollout of this service, which I’d like to cover in this post. This is a game changer for United, once available on a widespread basis.
In this post:
United Airlines installing Starlink Wi-Fi on 1,000+ jets
United Airlines is partnering with SpaceX, to introduce Starlink Wi-Fi on more than 1,000 aircraft. This is the largest Starlink deal we’ve seen with an airline to date. Best of all, United is offering Starlink Wi-Fi for free to all MileagePlus members. That’s not surprising, when you consider that United is increasingly in Delta’s league, and Delta offers fast and free Wi-Fi (as does American, at this point).
Starlink is known for its high-speed, low-latency broadband internet, and the service is offered gate to gate. United highlights how Starlink Wi-Fi allows for live streaming, productivity similar to on the ground (with high upload and download speeds), gaming, e-commerce, support for multiple devices, and more.
Starlink is becoming increasingly popular on airlines. So far we’ve seen carriers like airBaltic, Air France, Air New Zealand, British Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Korean Air, Lufthansa Group, Qatar Airways, SAS, Virgin Atlantic, and WestJet, all announce plans to install the service.
What’s also great about Starlink is that the installation process is pretty quick, once aircraft are certified to have it installed. The average Starlink installation time is around eight hours, which is 10 times faster than with non-Starlink equipment.
United is by far the most tech-savvy US airline, and I’d be willing to bet that the airline invests more in technology than peers. So it’s fitting that United would also go with the most cutting edge Wi-Fi provider. This would also explain why United didn’t announce a larger Wi-Fi retrofit plan with one of the more established inflight Wi-Fi providers prior to 2024. Sometimes it pays to wait.
United Airlines Starlink Wi-Fi rollout progress & timeline
What’s United’s plan for rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi, and how much progress has been made? Big picture, United expects to offer Starlink Wi-Fi on 1,000+ planes, including all mainline aircraft and regional jets, by the end of 2027.
Where do things currently stand, though?
- Currently, United has Starlink Wi-Fi on 300+ regional jets, which includes most two-cabin United Express aircraft, particularly Embraer E175s
- By the end of 2026, United expects to have Starlink Wi-Fi on 800+ aircraft, so expect a huge number of mainline aircraft to get the service this year; for mainline aircraft, it seems like Boeing 737s are the first to get the service
When you go to united.com and look up flight status, you can see if a flight is expected to have Starlink based on the below banner.
In order for Starlink Wi-Fi to be installed, the airline needs Supplemental Type Certification (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), for each plane type, so that includes a total of 16 regional and mainline aircraft models. The FAA certification process involves approval of the design, installation, testing, and certification of the system, to ensure safe and reliable operations.
Since this certification is required for each plane, there’s always a testing phase, and then once that’s approved, the rollout can happen pretty quickly.
It’s anyone’s guess what happens next, though one thing that we do know is that United is prioritizing Starlink on its new premium Boeing 787-9s, featuring the new Polaris seats and Polaris Studio. While these are expected to be delivered in the coming weeks, the FAA hasn’t quite approved Starlink for the 787-9, so there may be a period of time during which these planes fly without that service.
For some context on United’s Wi-Fi situation, prior to Starlink, the airline worked with four different Wi-Fi providers:
- The regional jets have (or had, at this point) Intelsat Wi-Fi (formerly known as Gogo)
- Most wide body jets, plus select A319s, A320s, and 757s, have Panasonic Wi-Fi
- Most non-MAX 737s have Thales Wi-Fi
- Most 737 MAX aircraft, A321neos, and select A319s, have Viasat Wi-Fi
Bottom line
United Airlines is rolling out free Starlink Wi-Fi throughout its fleet. United has been lagging American and Delta when it comes to inflight connectivity, but that’s now rapidly changing. At this point, United has Starlink Wi-Fi on 300+ planes, by the end of 2026 United will have Starlink Wi-Fi on 800+ planes, and by the end of 2027 United will have Starlink Wi-Fi on all planes.
It’s great to see the progress being made, and once this is actually available on a widespread basis, it’ll be a massive competitive advantage, especially with neither American nor Delta having even announced plans to introduce Starlink.
What do you make of United rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi?
Just use you FREE T-Mobile wifi pass. At least that wifi works everywhere globally, unlike Delta's crappy wi-fi.
UA's WiFi on its 1023 mainline aircraft that don't have Starlink is not high speed. not even they say it is.
there are 900 DL, AA, and 260 B6 mainline aircraft that have had high speed WiFi for years even though AA just decided to turn it on for free just a month ago and we are supposed to think that UA has something speciAAl?
DISADVANTAGE UA and its passengers.
as I have said before,...
UA's WiFi on its 1023 mainline aircraft that don't have Starlink is not high speed. not even they say it is.
there are 900 DL, AA, and 260 B6 mainline aircraft that have had high speed WiFi for years even though AA just decided to turn it on for free just a month ago and we are supposed to think that UA has something speciAAl?
DISADVANTAGE UA and its passengers.
as I have said before, I would have very little reason to participate in aviation social media if some people - most UA's paid employee fan base - were far more realistic and honest about what UA is and has achieved.
And let's be clear that this all follows the discussion about DL's widebody orders - which dominated aviation news in January - and the reality that the A350 is far more capable than the B787.
UA's fans are emotionally incapable of admitting that DL was very smart to wait to order its next generation widebody until after AA and UA ordered the 787, Airbus released more details on the A350, and DL's choice to directly try to replace the 747-400 with another large widebody as UA did with the 777-300ER until the A350-1000 became the most capable and efficient long range aircraft available.
I get that we all are fans for something but when a group of people are as disconnected from reality and as incapable of admitting that someone else really has done something better, they become open season for other people's mockery.
The reality is simply that UA is last out of all large US airlines except WN in free high speed WiFi, DL has trumped UA's fleet strategy with the A330NEO, A350-900 and -1000s, and the 787-10 strategy, and DL does better financially and operationally.
and DL didn't end up at the bottom of the list of US airline in baggage handling.
The arrogance and incessant need to take out other airlines comes straight from the top at UA and it is copied and amplified by their employees on aviation social media.
And Ben knows full well how to play it all to his benefit.
just streamed Schitt's Creek for an entire trip on a non-starlink UA bird. not sure what you call high speed
the irony of Tim dunn trying to call it united fans as rabid or a fan base when you're blinded by blind delta allegiance...
Look at all the aggressive, distasteful, and likewise disrespectful comments from the one... the only... the revered TIM "TOM" "THE DUNCE" DUNN on this article. Truly disgusting and nothing but a pitiful paid shill for an airline that is losing relevance, market share and customer interest at rates the likes of which have never been seen before in the US airline market.
It is amazing how much Tim Dunn loses his shot when United does something better than Delta.
except UA HASN'T DONE ANYTHING better than DL, esp. WRT WiFI.
The fact that some people are so delusional over the promise of high speed WiFi and pretend that B6 and DL's multi-year headstart OR AA's decision a month ago to turn on free high WiFi leaves UA in the dust.
Last in baggage, last in high speed WiFi deployment.
United. Sinking
Last in intelligence, first in being a buffoon.
Tim Dunn. Moronic
TD, "believes that... (it) ...makes any difference for the CRJ550s with Starlink"
You obviously haven't experienced Starlink or talked to customers who have. It DOUBLES Net Promoter Scores (NPS) on flights on which it is installed. Just think about that for a second, but tell yourself whatever you want. Too funny.
BIG advantage United!
It's on CRJ550s.
NOT on those super premium 787s, son.
Get a grip.
UA lost the race to high speed free high WiFi for everyone.
You bet on the wrong horse.
You are a loser too.
I love your mature responses. Mature for a nine year old, maybe. It'll be OK Tim. So funny.
Starlink is installed on 238 E175s, 68 CRJ550s and a few 737s. It will be on 500 mainline UA aircraft by the end of the year and the entire United fleet in 2027.
I forgot to add that Starlink is already available on 25% of United's flights. Amazing.
I am certain that you aren't going to use that made-up seat load factor now.
a Few.
Laughable.
No, really sad.
Pathetically sad.
It will be....
but is not now.
Get your head out of your backside.
UA failed and continues to fail.
United has beat Delta on wifi rollout. Tough day for the DunceMaster!
delusional
UA has 3 mainline aircraft with WiFi.
DL has 900. AA has 850 and B6 has 260
UA is last of last.
The inability to admit that UA has failed is pathological
"UA has 3 mainline aircraft with WiFi."
Delusional is right & demonstrably false. UA has wifi on every one of their 1,085 mainline aircraft.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZlYgN_IZmd6CSx_nXnuP0L0PiodapDRx3RmNkIpxXAo/htmlview#gid=0
Starlink users enjoy far superior speeds, stability, reliability and lower latency (delay) due to arrays of low earth orbit (closer) satellites that enable gaming, streaming, and video calls that are rough or impractical on other providers like ViaSat that also has huge holes in its coverage. Starlink weighs 85 v 300 pounds with more streamlined antennae. More reliable with weather proof laser switching between more numerous and optimal satellites.
So far Air France, Air New...
Starlink users enjoy far superior speeds, stability, reliability and lower latency (delay) due to arrays of low earth orbit (closer) satellites that enable gaming, streaming, and video calls that are rough or impractical on other providers like ViaSat that also has huge holes in its coverage. Starlink weighs 85 v 300 pounds with more streamlined antennae. More reliable with weather proof laser switching between more numerous and optimal satellites.
So far Air France, Air New Zealand, Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic among airlines going with Starlink.
More fuel-efficient: Starlink’s lighter weight and more streamlined antenna means the aircraft requires less fuel to operate than other inflight providers.
Weather-proofed: Weather on the ground doesn’t hinder connectivity thanks to a weather-proofed laser link between satellites and the aircraft.
More reliable: Starlink-equipped aircraft will constantly switch between Starlink’s low-earth orbit constellation of satellites to ensure the best, most reliable Wi-Fi onboard.
Starlink access will be free for all MileagePlus customers and will include game-changing inflight entertainment experiences like streaming services, shopping, gaming and more.
and the 1023 UA mainline aircraft that don't have it doesn't matter one iota
I forgot to add that Starlink is already available on 25% of United's flights. Amazing.
Speaking of United, flew DEN-MIA in FC yesterday, and after charging 150 USD to dispatch my ski bag as a third bag, this is what they did with it
https://youtube.com/shorts/SzwDt2EmW8Q?si=dVU22RHm4jbZxP4E
Mine is the first one being thrown, started filming a little bit too late.
for the first 10 months of 2025, UA had the worst baggage mishandling rate.
So, if they don't destroy it, they lose it.
Wrong Tim. Delta did. Check DOT stats.
I can read the DOT's Air Travel Consumer Report just fine.
UA is dead last in baggage handling.
and that is before they destroy baggage like this guy's.
but the hope of Starlink is supposed to overcome being 5 years late and running anotherwise poor operation - at least WRT baggage.
Looks really bad for wind resistance. Almost enough to prevent the plane taking off.
Great example of the Dunning Kruger effect about aerodynamics.
If I can provide a constructive criticism, in many of these update articles it is not often clear for those of use who have read the previous version to see what's new quickly. Often it reads 90% same as the previous article so may I suggest a highlighted "Update section at the top so people who read the previous article can find what's new on the topic while others can read the whole article ?
All airlines should provide free WiFi to passengers on all aircraft. Whether it's via this or another provider, it's 2026, and way past-due.
Do you have anyone else in your life to talk to? This is getting pathetic.
Well, John, you're here, so that makes two of us. Feel better?
John - this is a Tim Dunn alt.
Starlink wifi is installed on 306 of 325 of UAX's E175s and CRJ550s.
That's impressive. Has anyone at DL considered adding WiFi on their regionals? Or we gonna play semantics and pretend Endeavor isn't technically DAL. *cough* Tim *cough*
If you spent a little time reading earnings call transcripts, you would have heard that more than 2/3 of DL's RJs have Hughes high speed WiFi and that project should be completed within months. I believe they are doing 10-12 aircraft at time.
And DL has 900 mainline aircraft that free high speed WiFi and offers it on transatlantic and LatinAmerica flights as well as domestically, giving DL the largest WiFi equipped fleet in the world.
You keep calling it high-speed when it isn't, Timbits. That's just marketing. And does it work over the Pacific? Thought not.
well, yes, it is high speed.
and the 1010 mainline aircraft that UA doesn't have Starlink on are certainly not high speed
and, more than half of DL's A350s have high speed WiFi, it is just not free over the Pacific.
Tell us how many flights UA has free high speed WiFi on for all loyalty members over the Atlantic, Pacific. or to S. America.
let me help you out.
ZERO.
you find the...
well, yes, it is high speed.
and the 1010 mainline aircraft that UA doesn't have Starlink on are certainly not high speed
and, more than half of DL's A350s have high speed WiFi, it is just not free over the Pacific.
Tell us how many flights UA has free high speed WiFi on for all loyalty members over the Atlantic, Pacific. or to S. America.
let me help you out.
ZERO.
you find the gnat on someone else's backside so you don't have to admit that your own backside got taken off by a freight train
If only I could read... as if drowning in 10-Ks and -Qs or 8-Ks would help anyone, really... naw, naw, keep cherry-picking data from those disclosures.
I agree. UA expects 500 mainline aircraft getting it in 2026 and the rest in 2027.
Here is an excerpt from PCMag that tells the tale. "United's largest domestic competitors—Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines—are sticking with in-flight broadband delivered via geostationary-satellite networks, which typically yield somewhat slower downloads, much slower uploads, and significantly higher latency."
typically
and yet Viasat's own website shows that they are developing faster technology.
and DL does not exclusively use Viasat.
And we are all still supposed to think that the fact that UA won't have Starlink across its fleet for almost 2 more years is supposed to make it better than DL's 900 and UA's 800 mainline aircraft that have it no.
JBLU has more aircraft with WiFi than UA.
You UA fan nuts really do live in your own world.
ORD, "You keep calling it high-speed when it isn't"
It's all relative, but last-gen high orbit satellite wifi systems pale in comparison to Starlink. Free? The price is the least important component, but I would hope it's free over the Pacific where DL provides no wifi. Luckily, DL has limited service out there. I'm glad UA isn't wasting $ on outdated technology.
get your head out of your backside.
When you have about 10 mainline aircraft with Starlink, nothing compares to AA and DL which have hundreds of domestic aircraft with it - 1000+ each including RJs.
UA is nothing more than a promise and nobody in their right mind - which obviously excludes you braggards - thinks that the hopes that UA will get its fleet done in 2 years.
I do love Ben's regular...
get your head out of your backside.
When you have about 10 mainline aircraft with Starlink, nothing compares to AA and DL which have hundreds of domestic aircraft with it - 1000+ each including RJs.
UA is nothing more than a promise and nobody in their right mind - which obviously excludes you braggards - thinks that the hopes that UA will get its fleet done in 2 years.
I do love Ben's regular updates so I can post once again how pathetic UA's rollout of free high speed WiFi has been compared to AA, B6 AND DL.
All United aircraft have wifi that works everywhere United flies including the Pacific.
Hopefully, Delta will be able to make the same claim some day if Viasat can manage to launch a functional last-gen high orbit (high latency) satellite over the Pacific. Here is the Delta coverage map that displays the massive hole in Delta's wifi coverage. I quote, "Asia: No Wi-Fi Coverage"
https://www.delta.com/us/en/onboard/inflight-entertainment/onboard-wifi
Yikes!
so will Delta's.
And long before UA's entire fleet is equipped with Starlink.
end of 2027?
are you kidding?
YIKES
AA, B6 and DL will have fleetwide high speed WiFi long before UA. AS probably will too.
Last out of the entire field.
DOUBLE YIKES
TD, "so will Delta's."
Cool. When exactly?
The last-gen wifi is not high-speed compared to Starlink. Not even in the same league and the latency is 70 times worse than Starlink. IOW, the Starlink signal travels back and forth 70 times in the time it takes the Viasat signal to do one round trip.
Yikes!
Tim, can you go on the record now, saying that, next year, when UA has the fastest WiFi on its entire fleet, you will say that over and over in all stories about WiFi, complimenting UA?
You love to go on and on about the status today, while ignoring the plan for a very quick rollout.
As soon as something changes, you just stop mentioning it.
This is the case for how UA...
Tim, can you go on the record now, saying that, next year, when UA has the fastest WiFi on its entire fleet, you will say that over and over in all stories about WiFi, complimenting UA?
You love to go on and on about the status today, while ignoring the plan for a very quick rollout.
As soon as something changes, you just stop mentioning it.
This is the case for how UA overtook DL in NYC, how DL is shrinking in LAX and NYC while UA grows, how UA hit 1,000 aircraft first, how UA’s fleet age is decreasing, thanks to hundreds of new deliveries and older aircraft retirements, and, soon to be, the WiFi.
It will help your credibility.
nobody except you deranged UA employees hiding under your desks at Willis Tower believe that UA's position of last of the big 4 plus AS/HA and B6 makes any difference for the CRJ550s with Starlink - where you have to dig through a closet to find your bag.
Disadvantage UA