United Airlines announced an accelerated timeline to bring Starlink—the high-speed satellite internet service from SpaceX—to its global flights, offering travel enthusiasts a major upgrade in connectivity. The airline expects to begin testing Starlink next month, with the first commercial flight projected to depart this spring aboard a United Embraer E-175. According to the latest update, the entire two-cabin regional fleet will be Starlink-enabled by the end of this year, and the first mainline aircraft offering Starlink is also anticipated to fly by year’s end.
This development signals a transformative shift in how passengers can stay connected while airborne. Access to Starlink will be free for all MileagePlus® members and will offer the capability to stream services, shop online, play games and more—activities previously limited by slower in-flight networks. The complimentary service is set to give flyers more flexibility in how they spend their time on board, whether catching up on work, entertainment or simply browsing online.
“We have a lot planned for our MileagePlus members this year and adding Starlink to as many planes as we can—as quickly as we can—is at the center of it all,” said Richard Nunn, CEO of United MileagePlus. “It’s not only going to revolutionize the experience of flying United, but it’s also going to unlock tons of new partnerships and benefits for our members that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.”
United originally signed an industry-leading agreement with SpaceX last September to ensure the entire fleet benefits from Starlink’s gate-to-gate internet service. The airline’s existing fleet of two-cabin regional jets and its mainline aircraft will gain the ability to keep travelers connected at speeds and reliability on par with ground-based broadband—a feature no other major U.S. airline currently provides on such a large scale.
Travelers who are not yet MileagePlus members can sign up for free at united.com/starlink to enjoy the upgraded inflight experience. MileagePlus, rated the world’s best airline loyalty program, offers perks such as miles that never expire, no blackout dates, and the flexibility to purchase nearly any United service—including seats, Wi-Fi and snacks—with miles. United also allows members to pool miles with family and friends in a joint account, making it easier to reach award travel goals.
United reported that, on an average day, about 31,000 seats are filled by travelers redeeming MileagePlus miles—roughly the equivalent of 100 Boeing 777 aircraft. During the summer of 2024 alone, more than three million passengers flew on award tickets. With the upcoming Starlink integration, the airline expects a significant leap in onboard comfort and connectivity, setting a new standard for travel enthusiasts worldwide.
