United Accelerates Inflight Wi-Fi Race: Starlink Now Equips Over 300 Regional Jets with a Goal of 800 Total Aircraft
In less than a year, United Airlines has completed the installation of Starlink Wi-Fi on more than 300 dual-cabin regional aircraft. This deployment pace is unusual for the industry and serves as a clear strategic signal regarding the future of the passenger experience over the next decade.
Accelerated Implementation at Industrial Scale
Over the last 10 months, United has operated more than 129,000 flights with active Starlink service, transporting over 7 million passengers. During this period, the systems provided service to 3.7 million devices, a figure that illustrates both the network load and the operational confidence in the SpaceX solution.
Currently, more than 25% of United’s daily departures—approximately 1,200 operations—already feature Starlink. This represents a significant milestone for a network airline with a fleet and operation as diversified as United’s.
The plan does not stop there. The company expects to equip more than 500 mainline narrow-body and wide-body aircraft before the end of 2026, bringing the total number of Starlink-equipped aircraft to over 800 units across the entire fleet.
Direct Impact on Passenger Satisfaction
The most critical data point for any airline executive is not just the number of antennas installed, but the customer response. According to United, inflight Wi-Fi satisfaction scores have nearly doubled on aircraft equipped with Starlink.
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Passengers particularly highlight:
- Continuous gate-to-gate connectivity
- Improved service reliability
- True inflight streaming capability
These elements have historically been weak points for traditional satellite connectivity in commercial aviation.
Starlink as the Core of the Brand Message
United has decided to capitalize on this technological advancement with a high-profile campaign. The airline will premiere a new advertisement during the Big Game on February 8, using a creative approach inspired by space mission control to illustrate how Starlink redefines the digital experience on board.
The spot shows passengers watching live sporting events, playing online games, or even accessing home security cameras—uses that were previously nearly unfeasible during a flight. The central message is summarized in a key phrase from the ad:
“It’s Wi-Fi that actually works… one giant leap for inflight Wi-Fi.”
Maggie Schmerin, United’s Chief Advertising Officer, explained that the campaign is built on what the company calls “travel truths,” recognizing the qualitative leap that Starlink represents for both the passenger and the airline’s value proposition.
Regional Coverage and Focus on Key Markets
The advertisement will air in markets where the presence of Starlink-equipped regional aircraft is already significant, such as Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, and Kansas City.
In some of these airports, more than half of United’s flights already feature Starlink:
- Indianapolis: more than 63%
- Kansas City: more than 53%
- Cincinnati: more than 51%
These figures reinforce the idea that the rollout is not just technological, but also carefully aligned with markets where the impact on customer perception is immediate.
Next Challenge: Certification and Mainline Fleet
Looking toward 2026, United plans to accelerate installations across its mainline fleet, working alongside Starlink to obtain FAA approval for more than a dozen different aircraft models. These include:
- Boeing 737-900ER
- Airbus A321 Family
- Boeing 777
Grant Milstead, United’s Vice President of Digital Technology, emphasized that the current deployment in the regional fleet is just the beginning and part of a broader commitment to bring reliable, high-capacity connectivity to the airline’s entire network.
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