Travelers are getting expanded access to one of the most in-demand airline amenities when flying across the Atlantic, thanks to United Airlines.
The carrier has launched its free Starlink Wi-Fi connection aboard its first widebody plane flying transatlantic flights.
The Starlink-equipped Boeing 777-200 operated United Flight 14 from the airline’s hub in Newark (EWR) to London Heathrow (LHR) on June 22.
The major milestone marks the first aircraft of nearly 60 widebody planes that are expected to be equipped with Starlink capability this year. United plans to bring the ultra-fast connectivity to its entire widebody fleet by summer 2027.
Travelers on international flights with United can expect to see Starlink rolling out across the carrier’s Boeing 777-200 planes operating routes from its U.S. hubs in Newark, Washington D.C., Houston, and San Francisco, to popular global destinations like London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Paris, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, and others.
Starlink’s super-high-speed Wi-Fi is transforming the in-flight experience because it offers passengers the ability to use the internet the same way they do on the ground through all phases of flight. Travelers can stream videos and music, play games in real time, edit documents, and more, all in real time with no lag.
The connection is free for fliers with a United MileagePlus loyalty account.
"United is changing what it means to stay connected on an overseas flight," said United Airlines Chief Customer Officer David Kinzelman. "Starlink offers the same fast, reliable internet access and connectivity we're all used to at home, delivered in the air at 35,000 feet, flying anywhere around the world. This technology has the potential to transform how we think about the inflight experience for both our customers and our employees."
United has been one of the first U.S. airlines to add Starlink to its planes, focusing on its regional fleet first.
The carrier says it currently has about 400 Starlink-equipped planes and expects that number to grow to nearly 1,000 Starlink-enabled aircraft by the end of 2026.
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