United schedules takeoff of first Starlink-equipped mainline flight

United made history today at 8:00 a.m. ET when Flight 2940 departed Newark/New York for Houston, marking the first time a major U.S. airline has offered Starlink Wi-Fi on a mainline flight, with connectivity on both personal devices and in-flight entertainment screens. The airline plans to install Starlink on up to 15 mainline 737-800 aircraft each month; currently, more than half of its regional fleet is equipped with the technology. By the end of the year, United expects to have an additional aircraft type certified to offer Starlink.

More than 170 customers onboard the Boeing 737-800 will enjoy the same high-speed, low-latency internet experience they enjoy at home, allowing them to access experiences like live TV and streaming services, shopping, gaming, and more. On October 15, the main Starlink-equipped aircraft is also expected to fly from Houston (IAH) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) on Flight 365, and from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Houston (IAH) on Flight 445, ending the day in Houston.

United will install two Starlink antennas on every 737-800 aircraft. The airline plans to install approximately 2,940 antennas across its fleet—the flight number of the first customer flight.

Starlink Wi-Fi is free for United MileagePlus® members, and customers will receive a notification before their flight if it is equipped with Starlink.

"We're committed to elevating the onboard experience, and with Starlink, we're changing the way people fly," said David Kinzelman, United's chief customer experience officer. "Whether they're watching a live game, streaming an awards show, or working, United customers won't miss a thing when they're onboard a Starlink-equipped flight."

United's Starlink is breaking the Wi-Fi barrier, and the new service offers a new way to travel through experiences like:

Live Streaming: Whether you're watching a live sporting event, a movie, or your favorite show, passengers can also access streaming services without buffering, delays, or the need to download content in advance.

Real-time collaboration: Download or upload files, share and edit documents, and stay in sync with your team in real time.

Gaming at 30,000 feet: Pick up where you left off and play live matches, or watch live game streaming services. Seamless shopping: Stay connected online, schedule grocery delivery, and make restaurant and travel reservations, all from the comfort of your seat.

Connect multiple devices at once: Customers will be able to access Starlink on all their devices at the same time, such as their seat screen, phone, tablet, computer, and more.

United's first Starlink-equipped regional flight took place on a regional jet in May 2025, and the airline now has Starlink installed on more than half of its regional fleet. Initial customer ratings on those flights have been remarkable, with 90% of customers appreciating the ability to stream inflight with Starlink's high-speed, easy-to-use, and consistent connection.

The deployment of Starlink across United's fleet aligns with the airline's plans to have more than 300,000 seatback displays across its fleet—more than any other U.S. airline—as it takes delivery of hundreds of new planes and modernizes existing ones. In recent years, United has invested billions of dollars in improving the customer experience, and by offering greater value to customers, the airline seeks to build stronger brand loyalty.

Fuente: UNITED.