United has set a new standard of inflight connectivity by signing the industry’s largest agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s fast, reliable Wi-Fi service to the airline’s mainline and regional aircraft fleet, for free.

United customers will soon have access to high-speed, low-latency internet service in the air, similar to what they experience on the ground. This gate-to-gate connectivity will allow for simultaneous access to live TV, streaming services, social media, shopping, gaming, and more on seatback screens and personal devices. This service will provide game-changing experiences in the sky at a scale that no other major U.S. airline currently offers.

United plans to equip all of its aircraft, totaling more than 1,000 planes, with Starlink over the next several years. Testing is set to commence in early 2025, with the first passenger flights anticipated later that same year. Starlink service on United aircraft will be provided free of charge.

Starlink service on United aircraft will be free.

Utilizing advanced satellites and extensive expertise in spacecraft and on-orbit operations, Starlink, engineered by SpaceX, provides internet access globally, even in areas such as over oceans, polar regions, and other remote locations that were previously inaccessible via traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals. United is the largest airline operating across both the Atlantic and Pacific and will be the first carrier globally to commit to offering Starlink service on this scale.

“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 content, that’s more personalized. United’s culture of innovation is, once again, delivering big for our customers.”

“We’re excited to team up with United Airlines to transform the inflight experience,” said Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer at SpaceX. “With Starlink onboard your United flight, you’ll have access to the world’s most advanced high-speed internet from gate to gate, and all the miles in between.”

United’s new Starlink Wi-Fi service will include experiences like:

Live streaming: access personal streaming services and watch live TV, shows and movies without buffering, lag or the need to download content in advance.
Workplace productivity: download/upload documents and edit shared files in real-time.
Gaming: play live games and follow along on live gaming streaming services.
E-Commerce: shop online, schedule grocery delivery and make restaurant and travel reservations all from the comfort of your seat.
Multiple devices: connect multiple devices at once, under one user.
Live support with the United app: download the United app while inflight to get real-time info about connections and access customer support from a real agent through Agent on Demand.

The new service will also benefit United’s frontline employees – United pilots, flight attendants, technicians and gate agents all use mobile devices to help run the operation and serve customers. As United rolls out the Starlink more broadly, it will give those teams the same rich capabilities in the air, as they have on the ground including when working in remote location or when traditional services might be impacted like during power outages or natural disasters.