Business
The Inflight Wi-Fi Revolution Now Arriving: United Signs Starlink Deal to Provide Industry-Leading Connectivity in the Sky - For Free
Starlink allows for gate-to-gate internet service and unlocks game-changing inflight entertainment experiences like access to live TV and streaming services,
About this update from United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Starlink allows for gate-to-gate internet service and unlocks game-changing inflight entertainment experiences like access to live TV and streaming services, shopping, gaming and more, on seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously\nStarlink's low Earth orbit satellites deliver reliable, high-speed, low-latency internet and boost reliability over oceans and other remote areas previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals\nIndustry's largest agreement includes more than 1,000 aircraft\nTesting begins in early 2025 with the first passenger flights expected later next year; United's culture of innovation again delivers big benefits to customers\nCHICAGO, Sept. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- United today set a new standard of inflight connectivity by signing the industry's largest agreement of its kind with SpaceX to bring Starlink's fast, reliable Wi-Fi service to the airline's mainline and regional aircraft fleet, for free.\nUnited customers will soon enjoy the same high-speed, low-latency internet service in the air that they enjoy on the ground. The new, gate-to-gate connectivity will unlock game-changing experiences in the sky at scale that no other major U.S. airline provides like access to live TV and streaming services, social media, shopping, gaming and more, on seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously.\nUnited expects to have Starlink on all United aircraft – more than 1,000 planes – over the next several years. Testing begins in early 2025 with the first passenger flights expected later that year.\nStarlink service on United aircraft will be free.\nLeveraging advanced satellites with its deep experience in both spacecraft and on-orbit operations, Starlink is engineered by SpaceX and delivers internet access around the world, including over oceans, polar regions and other remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals. United is the largest airline across both the Atlantic and Pacific and will be the first carrier in the world to commit to offering Starlink service at this scale.\n\"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. \"This connectivity opens the door for an even better inflight entertainment experience, in every seatback – more conten...