United Airlines adds Starlink Wi-Fi to Transatlantic Flights

United Airlines has begun bringing Starlink Wi-Fi to its transatlantic flights, and aims to outfit nearly 60 widebody planes with the service before the end of the year. 

"United is changing what it means to stay connected on an overseas flight," said David Kinzelman, United's Chief Customer Officer said in a press release on Monday, June 22.

Kinzelman continued, "Starlink offers the same fast, reliable internet access and connectivity we're all used to at home, delivered in the air at 35,000 feet, flying anywhere around the world. This technology has the potential to transform how we think about the inflight experience for both our customers and our employees."

The first transatlantic United flight to offer Starlink Wi-Fi was flight 14, which departed Newark, New Jersey for London on the evening of June 22. 

United anticipates its entire widebody fleet will be outfitted with Starlink Wi-Fi by Summer 2027, said the release. The airline already offers the service on more than 400 planes. 

"Our ability to deploy Starlink Wi-Fi across our fleet at this speed and scale is a testament to the expertise of our team and the strength of our collaboration with Starlink," said Ankit Gupta, United's Chief Air Operations Officer, in the press release. 

"Together, we've built a highly efficient installation program that is transforming the onboard experience for our customers,” said Gupta. “With Starlink expected on close to 1,000 aircraft by year-end, we're moving quickly to bring fast, reliable connectivity to more travelers than ever before."

The wi-fi service is free for MileagePlus, United Airlines’ loyalty program.

What is Starlink? 

Starlink, a division of SpaceX, uses a “constellation” of more than 6,700 satellites in low-earth orbit to provide internet service nearly anywhere in the world, says the company’s website.

With these satellites, Starlink customers gain access to “broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.” Starlink’s cheapest service plans begin at $55 per month in the United States. 

Who else is using Starlink? 

Other airlines are following United’s lead and will be adding Starlink – or similar satellite internet – products to their planes in the coming months and years.

On June 23, Spanish flag carrier Iberia completed its first-ever flight with Starlink Wi-Fi. The arline estimates that about a third of its long-haul routes will be serviced with Starlink by the end of the year. 

Additionally, Lufthansa, Emirates, Air France, Aer Lingus and many other airlines have announced or begun rolling out Starlink on its planes. 

Starlink access while traveling is not limited to the skies. Many major cruise lines, including Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean, all offer Starlink Wi-Fi across their entire fleet of ships, says the website Cruise Critic.