United announced it has installed Starlink on its first regional aircraft and revealed details of the process to highlight the operational and technical advantages associated with the equipment, including size and weight, as well as ease of installation and maintenance.
The airline expects to equip more than 40 regional jets each month from May through the end of 2025: the average Starlink installation time is about 8 hours, not including deinstallation of existing equipment, testing, or aircraft modification—about 10 times faster than installing non-Starlink equipment.
Earlier this year, the airline announced it plans to equip its entire regional two-cabin fleet by the end of the year. Ultimately, United will incorporate Starlink across its entire fleet.
“Our ability to deploy this innovative service with unprecedented speed and scale is a direct result of United’s advanced equipment, technology, and team of experts,” said Grant Milstead, United’s vice president of Digital Technology. “Starlink has been a tremendous partner; our combined spirit of innovation and collaboration will allow us to reach our goal of more than 300 installations on regional aircraft by the end of this year.”
Starlink not only offers United customers an incredible inflight experience—the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky, free, and new inflight entertainment options—but also enables more streamlined installation, maintenance, and overall operation:
Faster installation means less downtime: United takes each aircraft out of service for just four days to deinstall existing equipment, install Starlink, conduct testing, and close open aircraft sections during installation, compared to more than 10 days on average for other inflight service providers.
Streamlined equipment: All Starlink installation equipment weighs 85 pounds, compared to other inflight service provider equipment that can weigh up to 300 pounds, and is electronically steered with no moving parts, making it easier to transport and install and requiring less maintenance.
Simple installation: A simplified team means a simpler installation. Once the aircraft is taken out of service for installation, the existing Wi-Fi is removed. Next, the Starlink equipment is installed, which includes an internal reinforcement structure, the external antenna and wireless access points in the main cabin, and the power supply. Finally, the team performs system checks before and after closing the interior.
More fuel efficient: Starlink's 85-pound footprint on the plane means it requires less fuel to operate than other onboard service providers.
Weatherproof: Weather conditions on the ground won't hinder connectivity thanks to weather-resistant inter-satellite laser link technology that allows satellites to communicate reliably with each other and the ground.
More reliable: Starlink-equipped aircraft will seamlessly switch between Starlink's world-largest constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites to ensure the best coverage and most reliable Wi-Fi onboard.
United also confirms that customers onboard Starlink-equipped regional aircraft can expect Wi-Fi speeds of up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps), which is 50 times faster than current regional aircraft speeds.
Starlink access will be free for all MileagePlus® customers and will include game-changing in-flight entertainment experiences, including streaming services, shopping, gaming, and more.
Fuente: United Airlines.