United Airlines has announced that it will enable satellite Internet access on its first aircraft this spring. It aims to ensure fast and uninterrupted online surfing even in the air. However, the US airline is starting out on a smaller scale, on regional routes and with a maximum 88-seat aircraft, the Embraer E-175. United’s entire fleet is expected to be equipped with Starlink within the next few years.
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United Airlines already had cooperation with Starlink september last year Announced. At that time it was said that WiFi via satellite would be tested in the spring of 2025 and the first flights with Starlink would take place later this year. United has now taken these plans forward. now that’s all from an official siteThe first Starlink tests will be conducted next month and satellite internet will be available on the first commercial flights from this spring.
Free satellite internet for members
It was initially said that Starlink’s satellite internet would be free to use on United flights. But this will not apply to all passengers. The American airline is now saying the free use will be reserved for members of United’s frequent flyer program called MileagePlus. After all, registering for MileagePlus is free; Interested parties only need to provide their personal data.
“We have a lot planned for our MileagePlus members this year, with a focus on bringing Starlink to as many aircraft as possible – as quickly as possible,” said Richard Nunn, CEO of United MileagePlus. “Not only will this revolutionize the United flying experience, it will also open up many new partnerships and benefits for our members that would not have been possible otherwise.”
Elon Musk’s Starlink provides airlines Internet with download rates of 40 to 220 Mbit/s and is already being used by the first airlines. Following US regional carriers VSX, Hawaiian Airlines, airBaltic and ZipAir also now use Starlink’s service. Qatar Airways was the first major airline to announce in May 2024 that it would equip three Boeing 777s with Starlink internet. Satellite internet will also be free in Qatar. Now United Airlines, one of the major US airlines, is jumping on the Starlink bandwagon.
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(FDS)
