United set for first Starlink-connected mainline flight

The flight from Newark to Houston marks the first time a major US airline has offered Starlink Wi-Fi on a mainline flight with connectivity across both personal devices and inflight entertainment screens.

The airline expects to roll out Starlink on up to 15 mainline 737-800 planes each month.

More than half of United’s regional fleet already offers Starlink.

By the end of the year, the airline expects to have an additional aircraft type certified to offer Starlink.

Starlink inflight Wi-Fi enables live TV and streaming services, shopping, gaming and more.

On October 15, the Starlink-equipped mainline aircraft also flies from Houston to Fort Lauderdale and then back to Houston.

United will install two Starlink antennas on each 737-800 aircraft.

Starlink Wi-Fi is free for United MileagePlus members, and customers will receive a notification before their flight if it’s equipped with Starlink.

“We’re committed to raising the bar when it comes to the onboard experience, and with Starlink, we’re changing how people fly,” said David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer.

United’s Starlink enables passengers to connect multiple devices at once such as their seatback screen, phone, tablet and laptop.

United’s first Starlink-equipped flight took place on a regional jet in May 2025, and the airline now has Starlink installed on more than half of the aircraft in its regional fleet.