United Airlines has reached a major milestone in upgrading onboard internet by equipping over 300 of its regional aircraft with Starlink satellite Wi-Fi, bringing fast, reliable connectivity to a growing portion of its fleet.
In under a year, the Chicago-based carrier has fitted most of its two-cabin regional jets — operated under the United Express banner — with Starlink hardware supplied by SpaceX.
‘That means roughly a quarter of United’s daily departures now offer high-speed internet capable of handling everything from streaming video to live gaming.
This installation drive is part of a broader plan to modernize in-flight connectivity. United aims to expand Starlink to more than 500 of its larger mainline aircraft, including Boeing 737s, Airbus A321s, and 777s, by the end of 2026. Once complete, more than 800 jets across the airline’s entire system will be fitted with the advanced Wi-Fi.
The Starlink system uses a network of low Earth orbit satellites, which deliver faster and more consistent internet than the older solutions that many airlines have relied on.
Passengers on Starlink-equipped planes have reported significantly better experiences, especially for streaming and staying connected gate-to-gate — something that traditional inflight Wi-Fi often struggled to provide.
United is promoting its progress in a new advertising campaign tied to the upcoming Big Game, highlighting how this next-generation connectivity transforms what travellers can do in the air.
As the airline continues its rollout, the passenger experience in the sky is poised to look a lot more like internet access on the ground — fast, seamless, and capable of supporting multiple devices throughout the flight.
