United Airlines plans Starlink's satellite internet for first flights in spring
The US airline prefers to use satellite internet. The use of Starlink will be free of charge for members of the frequent flyer program.
(Image: United Airlines)
United Airlines has announced that it will enable Internet use via satellite on its first aircraft this spring. This should ensure fast and uninterrupted online surfing in the air as well. However, the US airline is starting on a smaller scale, namely on regional routes and with a maximum 88-seat aircraft, the Embraer E-175. United's entire fleet is to be equipped with Starlink within the next few years.
United Airlines announced its collaboration with Starlink back in September last year. At that time, it was said that WLAN via satellite would be tested in spring 2025 and that the first flights with Starlink would take place later this year. United has now brought these plans forward. Officials now say that the first Starlink tests will be carried out next month and that satellite internet will be available on the first commercial flights from this spring.
Satellite Internet free for members
Initially, it was said that Starlink's satellite internet will be available free of charge on United flights. However, this will not apply to all passengers. The US airline has now announced that free use will be reserved for members of United's frequent flyer program, MileagePlus. After all, signing up for MileagePlus is free of charge; interested parties only have to disclose their personal data.
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"We have big plans for our MileagePlus members this year. The focus is on introducing Starlink on as many aircraft as possible – and as quickly as possible," said Richard Nunn, CEO of United MileagePlus. "Not only will this revolutionize the United flying experience, but it will also open up a host of new partnerships and benefits for our members that would otherwise not be possible."
Elon Musk's Starlink offers airlines Internet with download rates of 40 to 220 Mbit/s and is already being used by the first airlines. After the US regional carrier VSX, Hawaiian Airlines, Airbaltic and Zipair are now also using the Starlink service. In May 2024, Qatar Airways was the first major airline to announce that it would equip three Boeing 777s with Starlink internet. Qatar is also set to make satellite internet free of charge. Now one of the major US airlines, United Airlines, is jumping on the Starlink bandwagon.
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