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Mark your calendars: United Airlines will launch its free Starlink-powered Wi-Fi on May 15, as announced by the airline on Thursday.
I’ve had the chance to test it out, and I can confirm — it performs exactly as promised.
Next week, passengers on select regional flights will be the first to enjoy this new internet service.
The inaugural route will be a United Express flight from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Detroit Wayne County Metropolitan Airport (DTW), as confirmed by Flying Frugal.
Later that same day, Starlink-connected jets will fly to Nashville and Charlottesville, Virginia, from O’Hare.
In the days and weeks that follow, these jets with the upgraded technology will reach other destinations.
This eagerly awaited rollout comes about eight months after United first revealed plans to integrate the high-speed, satellite-based connectivity into its fleet.
This speedy internet access will be complimentary for passengers with a MileagePlus loyalty account, allowing them to connect numerous devices on board.
“This is fast. It’s going to feel like nothing you’ve experienced before in the air,” stated Grant Milstead, United’s VP of digital technology. “It’s even faster than the internet I have at home.”
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What to Expect with United’s New Starlink Service
I was invited to test the new Starlink service on a flight that departed from O’Hare and returned shortly after, operated by United’s regional partner SkyWest.
Preflight
Passengers will receive an email the day before their flight indicating they’re on a Starlink-equipped aircraft, like the one I got around 24 hours prior to my journey.
Passengers will also notice a decal on the boarding door of planes equipped with the new service, like an Embraer 175.
Connecting to Wi-Fi
Getting online was straightforward. I opened my phone, selected the Unitedwifi.com network, and was directed to the landing page.
After clicking “get started,” the system directed me to the United mobile app that was already installed, confirming my status as a MileagePlus member. I clicked “connect,” watched a brief advertisement, and then I was online.
Connecting my other devices was even simpler: a QR code on my iPad (and later my laptop) appeared, which I scanned with my phone to get them online as well.
“We want our customers to begin their experience as soon as they sit down, and it will continue until they’re ready to get up at their destination. There’s no waiting for that ding at 10,000 feet,” Milstead explained during a preflight briefing.
Speed Test Results
United is not exaggerating about the service speed: I managed to watch a live news broadcast on one device while streaming a live MLB game on another simultaneously.
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SEAN CUDAHY/Flying Frugal
My speed test recorded a download speed of 217 Mbps and an upload speed of 26.8 Mbps.
During this special media flight, I even managed to join a Zoom meeting and FaceTimed with Flying Frugal’s Clint Henderson from 30,000 feet.
However, this won’t be permitted on actual United flights.
As part of the Starlink login process, United reminds passengers of a few rules, including a prohibition on phone or video calls.
“We expect our customers to use headphones for any audio content,” Milstead added. “We also ask that they view appropriate content.”
An Ambitious Rollout Ahead
As Flying Frugal’s Zach Griff observed earlier this year, United can install the new Wi-Fi service rapidly. Once they ramp up operations, they can complete installations during overnight maintenance.
Starlink will start with United’s regional fleet, and the airline aims to have free Wi-Fi on all two-cabin regional planes by the end of this year.
One larger, mainline United aircraft is expected to receive the service before the end of 2025, according to executives.
A Growing Trend in the Industry
United is following in the footsteps of competitor Delta Air Lines, which also announced plans for fast, free Wi-Fi fleet-wide—though United believes its Starlink service will offer superior performance to customers.
This initiative aligns with a growing trend toward offering free connectivity, likely influencing American Airlines’ recent decision to transition to complimentary Wi-Fi next year.
“There’s a lot of free and fast service in the aviation industry,” said MileagePlus CEO Richard Nunn regarding United’s service. “But this is a whole new level.”
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