The Internet Has Landed: United Airlines Launches First Mainline Flight with Starlink Wi-Fi
CHICAGO, IL—United Airlines has made aviation history, becoming the first major U.S. carrier to bring high-speed, satellite-powered Starlink Wi-Fi to a mainline aircraft. The launch marks a pivotal moment in the airline’s strategy to deliver free, high-speed connectivity across its entire fleet.
The inaugural commercial flight took off today, making the “fastest Wi-Fi in the sky” accessible to a larger customer base than ever before.
The Details of the Historic Flight
The honor of launching the service went to United Flight 2940, a Boeing 737-800 operating a domestic route:
- Route: Newark/New York (EWR) to Houston (IAH).
- Launch Date: The first customer flight took off at 8:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, October 15, 2025.
- Capacity: Over 170 customers on board enjoyed the seamless, high-speed internet experience.
- Expansion: The Starlink-equipped aircraft continued its work today with Flight 365 from Houston to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and the return Flight 445 back to Houston, cementing the start of the massive rollout.
United will install Starlink antennas on up to 15 mainline 737-800 planes each month, with plans to outfit nearly 2,940 antennas across its entire fleet. The airline already offers Starlink on more than half of its regional jets after beginning regional installations in May 2025.
Free, Fast, and Seamless Connectivity
The Starlink service, engineered and operated by SpaceX, utilizes a network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver a truly high-speed, low-latency connection.
- Free Access: Starlink Wi-Fi is complimentary for all United MileagePlus members (which is free to join).
- Unlocking New Experiences: Passengers can now experience live TV, streaming services, online gaming, and real-time work collaboration on their personal devices and seatback screens simultaneously.
- Superior Performance: Initial customer scores on regional jets were noteworthy, with 90% of travelers appreciating the ability to stream onboard without buffering or lag. The system is also less affected by adverse weather, thanks to its satellite technology.
Conclusion
The launch of Starlink on United’s mainline fleet is a huge victory for the traveler experience, effectively breaking the barrier of slow, unreliable, and expensive in-flight internet. By committing to free, gate-to-gate connectivity, United is setting a new industry standard and making a clear statement that high-speed streaming and real-time work collaboration are now the new normal, not an expensive luxury.
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Disclaimer
The details in this report regarding the routes, dates, and benefits are based on official announcements and press releases from United Airlines (https://www.united.com/) and SpaceX/Starlink (https://www.starlink.com/). Wi-Fi service availability is dependent on the specific aircraft and its certification status.
