United Airlines is moving forward with a plan to offer free in-flight internet to its loyalty rewards members through a partnership with Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The technology has been added to a first aircraft, according to an announcement on X from United on Friday.
« The world’s fastest, most reliable Wi-Fi in the sky, @Starlink, has officially landed on our first aircraft, with the rest of our fleet to follow, » the airline said.
Over 40 planes a month are anticipated to have Starlink installed, according to the airline.
Last year, United Airlines announced the partnership with Starlink, outlining its plans to implement technology to its entire fleet.
« The airline now expects to begin testing Starlink next month with the first commercial flight anticipated to take off this spring on a United Embraer E-175 aircraft, » the airline said in a statement.
« United now plans to outfit its entire two-cabin regional fleet by the end of this year and have its first mainline Starlink-enabled plane in the air before the end of this year. »
