United Airlines recently began the process of installing Starlink Wi-Fi throughout its fleet, starting with United Express aircraft. Unfortunately this project has hit a minor roadblock, which will have implications for some passengers over the coming weeks, as reported by Zach Griff.
In this post:
Starlink Wi-Fi causing radio interference on United Express jets
So far, United has installed Starlink Wi-Fi on roughly two dozen Embraer E175s, operated by United’s regional subsidiaries. However, the service on many of those jets has been turned off in recent days, meaning those flights have been operating without internet connectivity.
What’s the reason? Several pilots have reported radio interference between the VHF antennas that pilots use to communicate, and the Starlink antennas. Specifically, on aircraft equipped with Starlink, pilots have experienced static on the radio after completing radio transmissions. As a result, the service has been turned off temporarily, pending a fix.
In a statement, United claims that this kind of issue isn’t uncommon for newly installed Wi-Fi services:
“Starlink is now installed on about two dozen United regional aircraft. United and Starlink teams are working together to address a small number of reports of static interference during the operation of the Wi-Fi system, which is fairly common with any new airline Wi-Fi provider. We expect the service to be back up and running on these aircraft soon.”
When will Starlink Wi-Fi be operational again?
United and Starlink have already figured out a solution to address the radio interference problem, and they’re working on rolling out this fix across the aircraft that are impacted. So far, roughly one-third of the two dozen jets have received the fix, meaning they’re again flying with Starlink Wi-Fi.
However, it’ll take some time for the remaining jets to receive the fix. The reason is because planes aren’t being taken out of service to get these fixes, so that the airline doesn’t have to cancel flights. Instead, United will wait until those planes would naturally rotate through regularly scheduled maintenance, and then make the updates.
The expectation is that all the impacted planes will get the fix within the next few weeks, but that timeline could also slip. United claims that this new issue won’t impact the pace of the carrier’s Starlink Wi-Fi rollout, and the airline still plans to have all of its two-cabin United Express jets fitted with Wi-Fi by the end of the 2025.
Bottom line
United Airlines’ Starlink Wi-Fi installation has hit a minor roadblock, due to the Starlink antennas interfering with the antennas used for pilot communication. Fortunately United and Starlink have identified a fix, which will be installed on all impacted jets in the coming weeks.
While the fix is relatively straightforward, the reason it’s taking some time is because United doesn’t want to take jets out of service, and will instead make these changes as planes go through regularly scheduled maintenance.
What do you make of United’s Starlink Wi-Fi issue?
This article conflates Wi-Fi with the LEO satellite Internet connectivity provided by Starlink. Apparently the Wi-Fi signal doesn't have anything to do with the interference, so I don't know why you keep using the word. "Wi-Fi" and "Internet access" are not synonyms
Interesting that this is happening at the same time that Delta is grounding some of Endeavor’s regional jets due to problems with their WiFi systems.
I am a little curious how this only impacts UA's planes here. It's not like Starlink is new on jets overall (including other commercial flights). Is this just a problem with the installation on the E175s (perhaps the ground antenna is too close to the AP)? Did UA use different equipment (i.e. newer routers, APs, etc.) than other airlines that is causing a unique problem?
Since United's CEO is a big Trump supporter, I think this is a way of him getting a favor from the government.
Sounds like your TDS is affecting all aspects of your life.
If you can think of a faster and cheaper solution on planes, please let us all know and the airlines so they can install it.
Exactly
Systems interoperability can be a problem in any highly technical application. It is how both companies approach the challenge and then effect the solution which will be interesting to observe.
Starlink helped United, and us passengers, realize the dream of fast and free wifi on a plane.
United has no choice but to project confidence (i.e. bluff) that a fix is quick and simple. Is it really? To know requires a background in engineering which I lack.
I would be remiss not to lament that Starlink's ownership by Elon Musk is a huge disappointment. The embarrassment of Elon to the United States is second only...
Starlink helped United, and us passengers, realize the dream of fast and free wifi on a plane.
United has no choice but to project confidence (i.e. bluff) that a fix is quick and simple. Is it really? To know requires a background in engineering which I lack.
I would be remiss not to lament that Starlink's ownership by Elon Musk is a huge disappointment. The embarrassment of Elon to the United States is second only to that of the embarrassment of our president.
Having dealt with some really low class Americans this week, however, I can fully understand how our country fell into this state.
You're kind of all over the road there.
Yes sometimes these are easy fixes and others can be more of a bitch to nail down. They'll get it worked out.
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