United Partners with SpaceX to Revolutionize Inflight Wi-Fi with Starlink

By DaMarko Webster

United Airlines is setting a new benchmark in inflight connectivity by signing the aviation industry’s largest partnership with SpaceX, bringing Starlink’s fast, reliable Wi-Fi to its entire mainline and regional fleet—completely free for passengers.

This groundbreaking collaboration will provide United customers with the same high-speed, low-latency internet they experience on the ground, but now 35,000 feet in the air. The gate-to-gate connection is poised to unlock a range of onboard activities like live TV, streaming services, gaming, e-commerce, and even productivity tools, available across seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously. Testing begins in 2025, and United aims to outfit over 1,000 aircraft with Starlink Wi-Fi in the following years.

“We’re excited to bring SpaceX’s Starlink to our fleet, enhancing the inflight experience for our customers,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “With this technology, everything you do online on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do in the air. This will be a game changer for inflight entertainment and connectivity.”

Starlink’s advanced satellite network, developed by SpaceX, is designed to deliver global internet coverage, including over oceans and remote areas where traditional Wi-Fi often fails. As the largest U.S. airline across the Atlantic and Pacific, United will be the first to offer Starlink’s service on this scale.

According to Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s President and COO, “With Starlink onboard United, passengers will have access to the world’s most advanced high-speed internet—from gate to gate, across oceans, and even in remote regions. This collaboration will redefine the inflight experience.”

United’s new Wi-Fi service will unlock several new possibilities, such as:

• Live Streaming: Passengers can stream content without the usual interruptions—no buffering, lag, or need for pre-downloaded material.
• Work and Productivity: Travelers will be able to work seamlessly, uploading and downloading files in real-time.
• Gaming: Enjoy live multiplayer gaming and game streaming at high speed.
• E-Commerce: Shop, book restaurants, or schedule deliveries mid-flight.
• Multiple Devices: Connect multiple devices at once under a single user account.

Additionally, passengers can access the United app during the flight to get real-time updates and live customer support through the “Agent on Demand” feature.

Not only will passengers have Starlink available on personal devices, but they’ll also have access to United’s nearly 100,000 seatback screens across its fleet. With plans to expand that number as new planes arrive and older aircraft are retrofitted, United will offer a more tailored and immersive inflight entertainment experience. United’s new interiors feature HD touch screens, Bluetooth connectivity, and power outlets in every seat.

The rollout of Starlink will also enhance operational efficiency for United’s staff. Pilots, flight attendants, and ground crew will have access to this high-speed internet during flights, improving communication and services, even in remote areas or during emergencies like power outages.

By 2025, United and SpaceX’s partnership promises to bring the next generation of inflight connectivity to the skies, changing how passengers experience air travel forever.