United Airlines flights will have access to Elon Musk’s Starlink Wi-Fi services as early as this spring. The airline will begin testing Starlink in February, and its first commercial flight featuring the service will launch on its Embraer E-175 aircraft. The airline plans to outfit its entire two-cabin regional fleet by the end of 2025 and have its first mainline Starlink-enabled plane in the air by the end of the year.
Starlink will eventually be available on every United flight. Musk, who heads companies ranging from electric vehicle maker Tesla to Starlink parent company SpaceX, has continuously expanded his influence beyond the tech industry. The United deal exemplifies how his businesses, supported by his significant wealth, have penetrated various sectors of the US economy.
All United MileagePlus members will have free access to Starlink, which includes streaming services, shopping, gaming, and more.
United adds Starlink Wi-Fi
The deal between United and Starlink was agreed upon in September.
United Airlines isn’t the only carrier offering high-speed internet on flights. Hawaiian Airlines announced it would offer Starlink free to all travelers on Airbus-operated flights between the islands and the continental United States, Asia, and Oceania. Semi-private charter firm JSX also provides complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi on its fleet of 46 planes.
JetBlue Airways has had free Wi-Fi on flights since 2017. In-flight internet has been available since 2003, when plane maker Boeing announced its service, Connexion. However, Boeing discontinued the service in 2006 after the market did not mature as expected.
April Isaacs is a news contributor for DevX.com She is long-term, self-proclaimed nerd. She loves all things tech and computers and still has her first Dreamcast system. It is lovingly named Joni, after Joni Mitchell.
