United Had Its First Flight With Starlink Wi-Fi. Here's What Comes Next
United is now the largest U.S. carrier to use the satellite technology. Getting it on over 1,000 aircraft will take time, but it's moving quickly.
United Airlines debuted its first-ever Starlink flight on May 15 on a route between Chicago O'Hare and Detroit, making it the largest U.S. carrier to use the satellite technology.
In-flight Wi-Fi has always been spotty and glitchy, but United is bullish that Starlink will change that.
The carrier has touted Starlink as an 'in-flight Wi-Fi revolution' in advertisements and executives have repeatedly said they expect the technology to significantly change the customer experience.
Plus, the Starlink Wi-Fi will be free for United MileagePlus members. Currently, MileagePlus members have to pay $8 to access in-flight Wi-Fi, while non-members pay $10.
United has been determined to install Starlink throughout its fleet on a relatively quick timeline. Currently, United is installing the satellite technology on around 300 regional jets, and expects to finish installation by the end of the year.
Starlink will also be installed on the new planes United receives, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliners where the carrier plans to debut new cabins.
Skift spoke with Grant Milstead, United's vice president of digital technology, to learn more about the carrier's plans for Starlink.
Milstead said United received 'great feedback' on the first Starlink flight.
'The connectivity for customers was everything we expected and more,' Milstead said. 'I think we got great feedback from customers, a lot of screenshots of their speed tests, kind of unlike anything they had experienced before.'
United's Timeline for Starlink
The timeline for Starlink on United's mainline fleet is unclear. Milstead said the company was expecting to install the technology on a mainline jet later this year and would probably announce a timeline then.
Installing Starlink on an aircraft requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. Plus, while other, smaller carriers like Hawaiian Airlines and JSX use Starlink, United has over 1,000 aircraft.
Another major carrier that uses Starlink is Qatar Airways. The airline, which announced a deal with Starlink in 2023, already has equipped over 50% of its Boeing 777s with the technology and now plans to install it on Airbus A350s.
Milstead said the approvals process involves developing a plan for each aircraft type for certification and installation. So far, United has received approval from regulators to install Starlink on its Embraer 175s.
'It's a big undertaking but it's something we've been able to be really successful on in the regional fleet,' Milstead said. 'Obviously nine months from announcement to our first install, I think you can expect us to be pretty rapid once we start announcing some of our mainline milestones as well.'
A Perk for Premium Customers
More airlines have been eager to switch to Starlink for their in-flight Wi-Fi because the technology allows customers to stream movies and TV shows, connect multiple devices, and shop online.
Air France announced last year that it would start installing Starlink throughout its fleet, and Latvia-based airBaltic became the first European airline to use the satellite technology.
Airlines see Starlink as part of a broader strategy to attract more business and premium travelers. United CEO Scott Kirby previously described Starlink as ' one of the most obvious high-profile investments for customers that's really just the visible tip of the iceberg,' during a January 22 earnings call.
'Premium travel continues to be a choice of customers that are choosing United — especially our route network and our international demand,' Milstead said. 'So I think this is one of those factors on why customers choose United. Our strategy has been investing in customers and investing in the experience and we think customers choose based on that.'
What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies.
The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance.
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