SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into orbit aboard its Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Sunday morning. This launch marked the latest milestone for Elon Musk’s ambitious project to provide global internet coverage.
In an exciting development, United Airlines has announced the debut of its first mainline flight equipped with Starlink internet. Flight 2940 will depart from Newark/New York and arrive in Houston on Wednesday. This marks the first time a major U. S. airline has offered Starlink Wi-Fi on a mainline flight, providing connectivity across both personal devices and inflight entertainment screens.
According to a press release, United plans to install two Starlink antennas on up to 15 mainline 737-800 planes each month. This comes after more than half of the airline’s regional fleet began offering Starlink to customers in May. David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer, expressed the company’s commitment to enhancing the onboard experience and changing the way people fly with Starlink.
Passengers onboard Starlink-equipped flights will have access to high-speed internet on multiple devices at once. This includes streaming live events, watching award shows, and working while in the air. United also plans to expand Starlink to additional aircraft types by the end of the year.
The best part? Starlink access will be free for all customers who are part of the MileagePlus airline loyalty program. This move follows United’s original announcement of a deal with Starlink over a year ago. The airline has also shared photos of an airport sign advertising Starlink aboard their flights, solidifying their partnership with the project.
Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has made deals with multiple airlines to provide in-flight internet services. This is part of their plan to expand their reach beyond consumers and households in rural areas with limited internet access. In fact, back in May 2024, Carnival Corporation announced that all of its ships would offer internet service via Starlink.
With this exciting launch and partnership with United Airlines, Starlink continues to make strides towards achieving its goal of global internet coverage. Passengers can now look forward to a seamless internet experience while flying with United, thanks to Starlink technology.