United Airlines is upgrading its Wi-Fi, and it will now be free for all passengers. The airline has partnered with SpaceX to bring Starlink connectivity to its entire fleet.
This partnership will provide passengers with free high-speed internet access on flights, thanks to Starlink's low Earth orbit satellites that enable reliable connections even over remote areas like oceans and polar regions. This means passengers will be able to stream live TV, shop online, and game from 35,000 feet without having to download content before takeoff.
The new service will be available on over 1,000 aircraft and is set to roll out in 2025, with testing beginning early in the year. This marks a significant shift in customer experience as United becomes the first in the industry to offer seamless, gate-to-gate internet at this scale.Not only is the Wi-Fi on United Airlines getting an upgrade, it will also be free. The airline has inked a deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink connectivity to its entire fleet.
In a bold move that promises to reshape the in-flight experience, United Airlines has partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink to offer passengers free high-speed internet access on their flights. This isn’t just an incremental improvement—it’s a rare instance of an airline transforming a paid service into a free offering, and it represents a significant shift in customer experience.
What Makes Starlink Wi-Fi Different?
United’s new Starlink Wi-Fi service will eventually be available on over 1,000 aircrafts. It will bring the same high-speed, low-latency internet available on the ground to the skies.
What makes this different from existing inflight Wi-Fi? Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellites enable reliable connections even over remote areas, like oceans and polar regions, that traditional satellite services often struggle to cover. Flyers will be able to stream live TV, shop online, or even game from 35,000 feet, without having to download content before takeoff.
The service will begin to roll out in 2025, with testing beginning early in that year. Ultimately, United passengers will enjoy seamless, gate-to-gate internet, an industry first at this scale. Flyers will be able to stay connected from boarding to deplaning.
