United has announced the successful installation of Starlink on its first regional aircraft, highlighting the aviation giant’s plans to upgrade more than 300 regional planes by year’s end and the entire fleet by 2025.
The airline intends to fit at least 40 aircraft with Starlink each month starting in May — a pace made possible by the system’s relatively small, lightweight kit and ease of integration.
United can complete a full Starlink install on a plane (including de-installing the old equipment, thorough testing, and closing all opened sections) within just four days. In contrast, non-Starlink installations often take at least 10 days. The Starlink kit itself weighs only 85lb, significantly less than many other in-flight connectivity systems, which can reach 300lb. Lighter equipment makes for simpler installs and improved fuel efficiency.
Because Starlink satellites use laser links to connect with each other and ground stations, inclement weather has minimal impact on performance. Once installed, the aircraft will switch automatically among Starlink’s vast constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, ensuring consistent and reliable coverage. Typical in-flight speeds are set to reach up to 250 Mbps — around 50 times faster than current regional aircraft offerings.
United will provide free Starlink connectivity to all MileagePlus customers, enabling streaming, gaming, and online shopping at speeds previously unimaginable mid-flight. Anyone can enrol in the complimentary loyalty programme by visiting united.com/starlink.
Grant Milstead, United’s VP of Digital Technology, called Starlink an “innovative service” that the carrier can install at “unprecedented speed and scale,” crediting the advanced equipment and collaboration between the United team and SpaceX’s Starlink. Such rapid deployments reflect United’s commitment to delivering a best-in-class passenger experience while streamlining operational costs.