The Starlink satellite internet service will make history Wednesday, when United Airlines has scheduled its first mainline flight using Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi. Meanwhile, United Airlines continues to add wireless connectivity to its regional fleet.
United flight 2940 is due to take off from Newark to Houston at 8 a.m. ET in a Boeing 737 with the first Starlink installed on any major airline on a mainline flight, the carrier said.
More than 170 United Airlines passengers will be able to use high-speed connectivity on their smartphones, tablets, laptops or the plane's own entertainment screens. After landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the plane continues to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., then back to Houston.
Up to now, Starlink had been installed only on United's regional aircraft. The airline said Tuesday more than half its regional fleet already has Starlink, and it plans to add the new Wi-Fi on as many as 15 jetliners each month, all Boeing 737 models. Other types of aircraft will have it by the end of the year, United said in a press release.
Starlink Wi-Fi is free to passengers who are members of the United MileagePlus loyalty program. The airline's website says calls and videocalls during flight are prohibited by law.
Musk's SpaceX-Owned Starlink Pairs With United Airlines
United Airlines agreed to use Starlink — which is owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX — last year. The Federal Aviation Administration gave the carrier approval for mainline Starlink on Sept. 26. The first regional flight using it was back in May. United's mainline fleet operates 938 planes.
Several other airlines have agreements with Starlink, including Air France, Qatar Airways and Alaska Air Group's Alaska Airlines.
Starlink has a rival in in-flight Wi-Fi with Amazon.com's Project Kuiper, which is another satellite-based internet service. About a month ago, the company signed up its first airline, when JetBlue said it would equip some of its planes with the system starting in 2027.
United Airlines stock is up 3% year to date. Shares appear to be forming a cup-type base. The stock is back below the 50-day moving average, and a move above that line could provide an early entry. United has a Composite Rating of 71.
