United to offer free wi-fi using SpaceX Starlink satellites

The satellite-powered Wi-Fi will work in remote locations
United plans to make it available to passengers and crew
The service will begin testing in early 2025

Updated: Sep 13, 2024 / 12:17 PM CDT

A United Airlines plane is pushed from the gate at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Aug. 11, 2023, in Houston. United Airlines is making changes for passengers with wheelchairs after a government investigation into a complaint by a disability-rights advocate. United and the Transportation Department said Thursday, Sept. 28 2023 that the airline will add a tool on its website to help consumers find flights that can accommodate their wheelchairs. Cargo doors on some planes are too small to load a motorized wheelchair or scooter. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

(NewsNation) — United Airlines announced it would be installing Starlink Wi-Fi onto all flights, with plans to test free Wi-Fi service on passenger flights in early 2025.

The company announced it would be installing Wi-Fi on all of it’s more than 1,000 planes over the next several years and plans to offer the service to passengers at no additional charge.

“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do onboard a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” said United CEO Scott Kirby.

The airline has used other providers to offer Wi-Fi on board, typically for an extra charge to passengers. Currently, Starlink’s high-speed Wi-Fi is only available on JSX or Hawaiian airlines in the U.S. Some international airlines have also announced plans to use Starlink.

Owned by billionaire Elon Musk, SpaceX’s Starlink satellites can provide access even when flying over oceans, polar regions and other remote locations that are not covered by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals. SpaceX has launched roughly 7,000 satellites into orbit since 2018.

The service is expected to support live streaming, gaming, e-commerce and other online activities while in the air, including the use of multiple devices by one user.

United plans to offer Wi-Fi on seatback screens and make it available for passengers to use on personal devices. United employees will also be able to access Wi-Fi in flight to help run operations.