Starlink has begun rolling out satellite internet service on long-haul flights operated by United Airlines.
The first aircraft equipped with the new system is a Boeing 777-200, offering passengers high-speed Wi-Fi from the moment they board until they arrive at their destination, including during flights over oceans at altitudes of around 10,000 meters.
United has already outfitted more than 400 regional aircraft with Starlink technology and aims to have over 1,000 planes equipped by the end of 2026. Internet access is provided free of charge to members of the MileagePlus loyalty program.
This is what the Starlink switch looks like in the cockpit. The first Southwest Airlines aircraft has received SpaceX satellite internet.
The use of a low-Earth orbit satellite network ensures minimal signal latency and a stable connection, enabling streaming video, cloud-based services, and real-time communication even on intercontinental routes.
The 777-200 aircraft equipped with Starlink will operate flights from United’s hub airports in Newark, Washington, Houston, and San Francisco to London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Paris, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, and Tokyo.
Starlink continues to rapidly expand its aviation partnerships. According to the latest data, Elon Musk’s satellite internet technology is now being deployed on aircraft operated by 41 airlines worldwide, with the total number of planes in the program exceeding 7,000.
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