Watch out for this new perk the next time you fly United (hint: Netflix at 30,000 feet)

Free Wi-Fi now covers 1,200 daily flights

United Airlines has put SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi on more than 300 of its regional jets, and it took less than a year to get there. The airline announced the milestone on Feb. 2, 2026.

That means about 25% of United’s daily departures, roughly 1,200 flights, now offer the high-speed satellite internet.

The equipped planes are mostly Embraer E175 and CRJ-550 models that fly under the United Express brand.

SpaceX deal launched in late 2024

United signed the deal with SpaceX on Sept. 13, 2024, covering more than 1,000 aircraft. At the time, it was the biggest Starlink agreement any airline had made.

By January 2025, United announced it was speeding up the timeline at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Testing kicked off in February 2025, and the first passengers tried it out in May 2025 on flights between Chicago O’Hare and Detroit.

Seven million passengers have already connected

Over the past 10 months, more than 7 million passengers have flown on planes with Starlink. Those flights added up to more than 129,000 and powered about 3.7 million devices.

United says its Wi-Fi satisfaction scores have nearly doubled on Starlink planes.

Passengers have pointed to the gate-to-gate connection as a big upgrade, along with the ability to stream video without the buffering that plagued older systems.

Starlink works differently from other airline Wi-Fi

Most airline Wi-Fi relies on satellites parked far from Earth in fixed positions. Starlink uses a network of low-Earth orbit satellites instead, which cuts down the delay and boosts speed.

Regional jets are seeing speeds up to about 250 Mbps.

Delta and American Airlines offer free Wi-Fi on many flights, but their systems use older satellite technology that runs more slowly.

Starlink also stays connected over oceans and remote areas where traditional systems often drop out.

MileagePlus members fly connected for free

Starlink Wi-Fi is free for all United MileagePlus members, and the loyalty program itself costs nothing to join. The service works on personal devices and seatback screens from the gate all the way to landing.

On planes that still lack Starlink, MileagePlus members pay $8 for a day pass, while non-members pay $10. United has started phasing out its paid Wi-Fi subscription plans as Starlink spreads across the fleet.

Installation takes days instead of weeks

The full Starlink kit weighs about 85 pounds, compared to roughly 300 pounds for older systems. That lighter hardware also means the plane burns less fuel.

The core installation takes about eight hours, which is roughly 10 times faster than the equipment it replaces.

Each aircraft sits out of service for about four days total, counting removal of the old gear, installation, and testing. The antenna has no moving parts, which cuts down on maintenance.

Mainline jets started getting Starlink in fall 2025

The FAA approved Starlink for the Boeing 737-800 in September 2025, and the first mainline commercial flight left Newark on Oct. 15, 2025.

United had been equipping more than 40 regional planes per month and has now shifted its focus to the bigger jets.

The airline plans to outfit more than one mainline aircraft per day throughout 2026, which would bring the total number of Starlink planes past 800.

Full fleet coverage could come by late 2027

United plans to equip more than 500 mainline jets with Starlink by the end of 2026. After that, the goal is to have the full fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft connected by late 2027.

That timeline depends on the FAA, which still needs to approve Starlink for more than a dozen additional aircraft types, including the Boeing 737-900ER, Airbus A321 family, and Boeing 777.

If those approvals run behind schedule, the deadline could slip.

Passengers can stream, game, and video call mid-flight

So what can you actually do with Starlink at 35,000 feet? Stream live sports or shows without buffering, for starters.

Online gaming works at cruising altitude, and real-time work tools like video calls and document sharing run smoothly.

You can connect more than one device at the same time and even check your home security cameras while you fly. It works the same whether you sit in first class or coach.

United ran a Super Bowl ad to show it off

United aired a 30-second ad during Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8, 2026, highlighting Starlink.

The spot ran in seven markets where Starlink-equipped regional jets fly heavily, including Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, and Kansas City.

It showed passengers streaming live sports, playing games, and checking security cameras from their seats. United described the ad as part of its “travel truths” advertising approach.

Other airlines are racing to catch up

United isn’t alone in adding Starlink. Qatar Airways, Air France, Emirates, and British Airways have all signed on.

Alaska Airlines has started installing Starlink, too, with plans to offer free access for its loyalty members.

Meanwhile, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, a competing satellite system, has signed JetBlue as a customer with a launch expected around 2027. Free, fast Wi-Fi is quickly becoming something passengers expect on every flight.

How to check if your flight has Starlink

You can see whether your flight has Starlink through the United app or website before you leave. United also sends a notification when your flight is on an equipped plane.

As more mainline jets get Starlink through 2026 and 2027, passengers on longer flights and wider routes will gain access.

If you haven’t signed up for MileagePlus yet, joining before your trip gives you free Starlink Wi-Fi the moment you board.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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