United Rolls Out Starlink Wi-Fi on its First Aircraft

United Airlines is officially a Starlink equipped carrier as the first aircraft with the new internet connectivity has entered revenue service.

Starlink Makes its Debut on First United Jet

The Chicago based carrier first announced plans to add Starlink internet fleetwide back in September 2024. Earlier this year, the airline accelerated the rollout timeline stating that the first aircraft would be introduced in Spring 2025.

The first aircraft to receive Starlink connectivity carries the registration N127SY. It is a 10 year old Embraer E175 operated by SkyWest for United Express. United plans to outfit its entire two-cabin regional fleet by the end of this year and have its first mainline Starlink-enabled plane in the air before the end of 2025.

The carrier released a short video showing the installation process on its YouTube page. According to the airline, Starlink install time is about 8 hours, excluding any de-installation of existing equipment, testing or aircraft modification, approximately 10 times faster than installing non-Starlink equipment. The airline expects to retrofit roughly 40 regional jet aircraft each month.

United’s VP of Digital Technology, Grant Milstead, said this about the introduction of the new service:

“Our ability to roll-out this innovative service with unprecedented speed and scale is a direct result of the advanced equipment, technology and team of experts at United. Starlink has been a terrific partner – our combined spirit of innovation and collaboration will enable us to hit our goal of more than 300 regional aircraft installations before the end of this year.”

Starlink Experience for United Customers

According to the airline, Starlink will enable quicker install times and less maintenance:

• Faster install, means less down time: United is taking each plane out of service for just 4 days to de-install existing equipment, install Starlink, run tests and close-up the aircraft parts opened during the install, versus an average 10+ days for other inflight providers.
• Streamlined equipment: The entire Starlink installation kit weighs 85 pounds, compared to other inflight provider kits that can weigh up to 300 pounds, and is electronically steered with no moving parts, making it easier to transport and install and requiring less maintenance.
• Simple install: Streamlined equipment means a simpler install. Once an aircraft is taken out of service for the install, the existing Wi-Fi is uninstalled. Then the Starlink equipment is installed, including an internal reinforcement structure, external antenna and main cabin wireless access points and power supply. Finally, the team runs system checks before and after closing the interior.
• More fuel-efficient: Starlink’s 85 pound footprint on the aircraft means the aircraft requires less fuel to operate than with other inflight providers.
• Weather-proofed: Weather on the ground doesn’t hinder connectivity thanks to a weather-proofed inter-satellite laser link technology that allows satellites to communicate to each other and the ground reliably.
• More reliable: Starlink-equipped aircraft will constantly switch between Starlink’s world’s largest, low-earth orbit constellation of satellites to ensure the best coverage and most reliable Wi-Fi onboard.

Starlink Wi-Fi will be free for all United MileagePlus members and passengers on United Express regional jets equipped with the service can expect speeds up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps), which is 50 times faster than current regional aircraft speeds.

Summary

Starlink has officially debuted on its first United aircraft. N127SY, a 10 year old Embraer E175 operated by SkyWest for United Express, is the first aircraft to feature the new fast, free, Wi-Fi. United plans to retrofit more than 40 regional jet aircraft each month with the new service and plans to begin upgrades to mainline aircraft later this year.