United set to offer free Starlink Wifi on board all services
United Airlines is looking to offer free onboard Wifi on board all services, leveraging SpaceX’s Starlink connectivity solution.
“The new, gate-to-gate connectivity will unlock game-changing experiences in the sky at scale that no other major US airline provides,” explained United, which will commence testing in early 2025. The first passenger flights are expected later next year, with all of United’s some 1,000 aircraft to adopt the solution “over the next several years”.
“With Starlink aboard 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,” commented president and chief operating officer of SpaceX Gwynne Shotwell.
United currently employs four Wifi providers (Gogo, Panasonic, Thales and ViaSat), each providing different coverage across different regions and aircraft types. Pricing is currently set at between $8 and $10 for US domestic and short-haul international flights, and differs for all other international routes.
As well as being able to access free internet via their personal devices, United passengers will also be able to use the new service on their seatback screens. United has nearly 100,000 of these in service across its fleet, with plans to expand their presence as the airline takes delivery of new aircraft and retrofits existing units.
