United Airlines makes history with the first Starlink-powered mainline flight

United Airlines is making aviation history. On October 15, flight UA 2940 departed from Newark (EWR) to Houston (IAH) aboard a Boeing 737-800 with full Starlink high-speed satellite internet, marking the first time a major US airline has offered this Starlink connectivity on an airplane with both a personal device and access to the in-flight entertainment screen.

The Starlink-equipped 737-800 carried more than 170 passengers, all of whom were able to stream, game, surf and work at speeds said to be comparable to terrestrial broadband. After the inaugural flight, the same aircraft would continue service with flight UA 365 from Houston to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and flight UA 445 returning to Houston later that day.

Broad rollout plan: ambitious expansion within the fleet

United plans a rapid deployment campaign and installs Starlink at maximum 15 Boeing 737-800s per month. By the end of the year, the airline wants to certify even more aircraft types to transport the system. Across its regional operations, United first introduced Starlink connectivity in May 2025; at that time, more than half of the regional fleet was already equipped. The broader ambition: almost 2,940 antennas for the airline’s entire fleet.

Remarkably, MileagePlus loyalty members get access to Starlink at no extra cost, with pre-departure alerts sent when their flights are rested.

David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer, praised the upgrade: “Whether it’s watching a live game, streaming an awards show or working, United customers won’t miss a moment when they’re aboard a Starlink-equipped flight.”

Industry Momentum: Who Else Uses Starlink?

United is far from alone in turning to Starlink for in-flight connectivity. Several global airlines already offer or are rolling out the system:

• Qatar Airways has equipped its entire Boeing 777 fleet with Starlink, making it a pioneer among long-haul carriers.
• Hawaiian Airlines offers Starlink on its Airbus A330 and A321neo aircraft, with complimentary service for those fleet segments.
• Air France recently announced plans to migrate its Wi-Fi to Starlink and offer the technology to its frequent flyer base.
• Other airlines offering or planning Starlink service include WestJet, airBalticAnd JSX.
• Air New Zealand is testing Starlink on a few aircraft as part of a broader evaluation.

Analysts see the shift to Starlink as part of a larger industry trend away from geostationary satellite providers toward low-Earth orbit networks that offer lower latency and higher throughput.