United Begins Broad Starlink Rollout
United Airlines is set to make history when flight 2940 departs from Newark to Houston, marking the first time a major U.S. airline will offer Starlink Wi-Fi on a mainline flight with connectivity available on both personal devices and inflight entertainment screens.
And it’s likely to be coming soon to flights to the Caribbean.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft will carry more than 170 passengers, all able to stream, game, work and browse online at speeds comparable to home internet. It’s the first in a series of installations that will see Starlink added to up to 15 of United’s 737-800s each month. By year’s end, United expects to certify an additional aircraft type for the service.
The same Starlink-equipped plane is scheduled to operate two more flights on Oct. 15 — from Houston to Fort Lauderdale on flight 365 and back to Houston on flight 445 — concluding its debut day in Texas.
Each 737-800 will be fitted with two Starlink antennas, part of a plan to install nearly 2,940 antennas across United’s entire fleet. MileagePlus members will receive Starlink Wi-Fi free of charge, with notifications sent ahead of departure for equipped flights.
David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer, said the airline is elevating the onboard experience through this new service, allowing travelers to stream live events, collaborate in real time, game at altitude, shop online and connect multiple devices at once.
United first launched Starlink on regional jets in May 2025, and the service has already been installed on more than half of the airline’s regional fleet. Early feedback from travelers has been strong, with 90 percent of customers citing the ability to stream onboard as a key upgrade.
The Starlink rollout coincides with United’s broader push to enhance the inflight experience, including plans for more than 300,000 seatback screens — the most of any U.S. carrier — as part of a multi-billion-dollar investment in new aircraft and retrofits.
United is planning more winter flights to the Caribbean this year.
