Last year, United Airlines announced that it would begin adding fast, free, Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire fleet beginning in 2025. In March, the carrier outfitted its first plane, an Embraer E175 operated by SkyWest under the United Express banner. Now, there is a new development as the first mainline jet has been outfitted with the service.
United’s First Mainline Jet Gets Starlink Service
As of Tuesday October 14, 2025, the first United Airlines mainline jet equipped with Starlink has taken to the skies. N77525, a fifteen year old Boeing 737-800, is the first jet to get the service.
According to xJonNYC, the carrier operated a media-only flight earlier this morning, which departed from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) as United Flight 3780. The first scheduled passenger service on the aircraft will occur tomorrow with United Flight 2940 between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
While we have seen the carrier increase the rollout frequency, until today the product has just been offered on select regional jets. This is an exciting development for United frequent flyers and I look forward to more aircraft being equipped with the service in the near future.
Starlink Experience for United Customers
According to the airline, Starlink will enable quicker install times and less maintenance:
- 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.
- 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.
Starlink Wi-Fi will be free for all United MileagePlus members and passengers on United Airlines and United Express regional jets equipped with the service. Passengers can expect speeds up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps) onboard Starlink equipped jets.
Summary
United Airlines has just introduced its first mainline aircraft equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi into the fleet. The fifteen year old Boeing 737-800 flew media members earlier today before it goes into revenue service tomorrow.