Wi-Fi faster, more reliable and free is almost here in United Airlines.
The Chicago headquarters announced on Monday that it received its first federal certification Aviation Administration to install the Starlink satellite Wi-Fi on board the regional jet Embraer E175.
This certification, called supplementary type certificate, is necessary for each type of aircraft that receives Starlink equipment.
Scoop Inside: The United Technology Chief reveals the destination of the ‘Expert Mode’, free Wi-Fi and more
United will need at least 16 STC to carry Starlink Wi-Fi to almost all airplanes in its regional and main fleets.
United will need to carry out the design, installation and test procedures required for any plane that receives this FAA certification.
A STC is issued after the FAA certifies the first aircraft equipped with Starlink of a certain type of fleet. Once the certification is in hand, United can install Starlink in the rest of the fleet.
With its first insured STC, United has reiterated that it now plans to install Starlink in approximately 40 regional aircraft each month, with the complete regional fleet of two cabins obtaining the update at the end of 2025.
The United Update occurs only a few weeks after the airline completed its first Starlink installation in an E175 Embraer, registered N127Sy, in a maintenance hangar in Nashville.
Daily Bulletin
Reward your entrance tray with the TPG Diario Bulletin
Join more than 700,000 readers to receive news, in -depth guides and exclusive agreements of TPG experts
While the installation ended, I obtained a exclusive aspect behind the scene What is needed to enable this faster Wi-Fi and learned about the airline technology executives in charge of the project.
Landing train in the kitchen? United Chicago Headquarters Touring at the Willis Tower
Now that the first plane equipped with Starlink is flying, United says that it will execute a beta test of the new technology on selected flights between now and the first flight of the client, which will officially happen in May, in line with the The promise of the airline that this spring would happen.
Announced for the first time in September, United said Rolle the Starlink Wi-Fi fleet in more than 1,000 aircraftbringing the best connectivity in its class to almost all its fleet. (The only planes that do not receive Starlink are the regional jets of a single mountain).
While speed and reliability updates will surely be appreciated, Starlink offers a transmission experience similar to the living room, perhaps the best news is that connectivity will be completely free. All that will be required is to log in to your Millageplus account.
The airline will debut a new landing and entertainment page for enabled aircraft for Starlink. This updated experience will offer access to transmission services, purchases, games and more.
For years, United has offered a lower connectivity experience. It has been associated with four different Wi-Fi suppliers, each that offers different speeds and reliability.
This MISHMASH of suppliers He has left some loyal flyers wondering whether the Wi-Fi service will work on their flight or if they can transmit their favorite programs or navigate social media applications with data.
The good news is that the first supplier that United has chosen to replace with Starlink is the most outdated: Wi-Fi on board (previously known as Gogo), which offers embedding connectivity of air to land to land in the regional fleet.
Starlink, an Elon Musk Spacex arm, provides satellite Internet access in more than 100 countries worldwide. Although the company’s clients range from individual owners to the US Army. UU., Perhaps the most exciting development for travelers is Starlink deployment in commercial airplanes.
The satellite Internet provider offers download speeds up to 250 Mbps per second, quick enough to admit games, VPN access, transmission and much more. (Calls on board will not yet be allowed, according to FAA rules).
Once the deployment is completed, United will go from offering a lower connectivity experience to provide one of the best in the sky.
In addition to United, Starlink is installed or installed in some main operators worldwide. They include JSX, Hawaiian Airlines, Airbaltic, Zipair, Qatar Airways, Air France, Air New Zealand, Scandinavian Airlines and Westjet.
United Starlink deployment schedule
| Aircraft | Current supplier | Starlink timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner | PANASONIC | A stranger |
| Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | PANASONIC | A stranger |
| Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner | PANASONIC | A stranger |
| Boeing 777-200 | PANASONIC | A stranger |
| Boeing 777-300 | PANASONIC | A stranger |
| Boeing 767-300 | PANASONIC | A stranger |
| Boeing 767-400 | PANASONIC | A stranger |
| Boeing 757-200 | PANASONIC | A stranger |
| Boeing 757-300 | Panasonic, Thales and Viasat | A stranger |
| Boeing 737-700 | Thales and Viasat | A stranger |
| Boeing 737-800 | Thales and Viasat | A stranger |
| Boeing 737 Max 8 | VIASAT | A stranger |
| Boeing 737-900 | Thales and Viasat | A stranger |
| Boeing 737 Max 9 | VIASAT | A stranger |
| Airbus A319 | Panasonic and Viasat | A stranger |
| Airbus A320 | PANASONIC | A stranger |
| Airbus A321neo | VIASAT | A stranger |
| Bombardier CRJ-200 | None | Do not receive |
| Bombardier CRJ-550 | Wi-Fi on board (Gogo) | At the end of 2025 |
| Bombardier CRJ-700 | Wi-Fi on board (Gogo) | At the end of 2025 |
| Bombardier CRJ-900 | Wi-Fi on board (Gogo) | At the end of 2025 |
| Embraer E170 | Wi-Fi on board (Gogo) | At the end of 2025 |
| Embraer E175 | Wi-Fi on board (Gogo) | At the end of 2025 |
| Embraer E145 | None | Do not receive |
Related reading:
