Image: United Airlines
United Airlines has officially taken in-flight Wi-Fi to new heights — literally. The carrier achieved a world first this week when NBC’s Today Show broadcasted live from 30,000 feet aboard the first United mainline aircraft equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet system.
The live segment demonstrated just how far in-flight connectivity has come. NBC’s Tom Costello reported live from cruising altitude, showcasing Starlink’s ability to stream video and support high-bandwidth applications seamlessly midair. “Unreliable Wi-Fi is one of the top complaints among fliers,” the Today Show said, “but now United Airlines is connecting its planes to 8,000 Starlink satellites to provide lightning-fast internet to its passengers.”
The milestone follows United’s recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to operate its first mainline aircraft with Starlink connectivity, with the inaugural passenger flight taking off this week. The rollout marks a major step forward in United’s plan to modernize its in-flight internet experience across its domestic and international routes.
According to United, Starlink is now installed on around 160 two-cabin regional aircraft — representing more than half of its regional fleet — with approximately 15 Boeing 737-800 jets being equipped each month. Passengers flying between Newark (EWR) and Houston (IAH), or between Houston (IAH) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL), can already experience the system firsthand.
United previously announced plans to fast-track Starlink installation across its fleet in 2025, with the long-term goal of offering free, high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi on more than 1,000 aircraft. The airline joins a growing list of carriers adopting SpaceX’s satellite internet service, which has become a game-changer for aviation connectivity thanks to its low-latency, high-throughput network of over 8,000 satellites in orbit.
Starlink Aviation has rapidly expanded its footprint since its debut, offering passengers a consistent internet experience that rivals ground-based broadband. For frequent travelers frustrated with unreliable in-flight Wi-Fi, United’s Starlink-enabled aircraft could be a welcome relief — and a sign of what’s next for the industry.
