United Airlines announced this Friday that it has installed high-speed Starlink internet on its first regional aircraft, marking the beginning of a transformation that will significantly enhance the onboard experience for its passengers. With an ambitious plan to equip more than 300 aircraft by the end of the year, the airline aims to set a new standard for in-flight connectivity.
Fast and Efficient Installation
One of the most impressive aspects of the Starlink deployment in United’s fleet is the speed of the installation process. Starting in May, the airline plans to equip more than 40 regional aircraft per month until the end of 2025. The installation takes approximately 8 hours, which is 10 times faster than other in-flight Wi-Fi systems. With a total downtime of only 4 days per aircraft, the airline minimizes operational disruptions and improves aircraft availability.
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Technical Advantages of the Starlink System
The Starlink connectivity system from SpaceX brings multiple benefits to United Airlines, not only in terms of passenger experience quality but also in operational efficiency:
- Reduced Weight: The Starlink installation kit weighs only 85 pounds, compared to other in-flight connectivity systems that can weigh up to 300 pounds. This weight reduction contributes to greater fuel efficiency.
- No Moving Parts Design: As a system with an electronically steered antenna and no mechanical parts, maintenance is simplified, and the likelihood of technical failures is reduced.
- Optimized Installation: The integration of Starlink into United’s aircraft includes internal structural reinforcement, an external antenna, Wi-Fi access points in the main cabin, and an efficient power supply.
- Greater Reliability: Thanks to Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite network, passengers will enjoy the best coverage and a more stable connection, without interruptions due to ground weather conditions.
The Fastest Connectivity in the Sky
United Airlines has confirmed that aircraft equipped with Starlink will offer Wi-Fi speeds of up to 250 Mbps, which is 50 times faster than current options on regional flights. This will allow passengers to enjoy an unprecedented experience, including:
- Uninterrupted video streaming.
- Real-time online shopping.
- Cloud gaming with no latency.
- Ultra-fast browsing.
Additionally, the airline has announced that access to Starlink will be completely free for all members of its MileagePlus program, which is also free to join at united.com/starlink.
According to Grant Milstead, Vice President of Digital Technology at United, this advancement is possible thanks to joint innovation and the commitment of both companies to excellence.
The airline plans to expand Starlink to its entire fleet in the future, solidifying its leadership in aerial connectivity and significantly improving the travel experience for millions of passengers.
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