Better In-Flight Wi-Fi Is Coming. United Installs Starlink on Its First Plane

Wi-Fi access will also be free for United MileagePlus customers.

Technicians installed the first Starlink equipment onto an Embraer E175, a workhorse aircraft that runs regional routes.

United estimates it will outfit 40 similar regional aircraft per month through the end of the year.

The full installation and testing period grounds the aircraft for three to four days.

The Starlink hardware’s smaller footprint is expected to increase fuel efficiency in each plane.

During the installation, older existing equipment is completely removed.

According to United, Starlink’s gear should provide more reliable service.

It uses inter-satellite laser link technology that switches among overhead low-Earth orbit satellites to maintain better communication.

Data-hungry passengers won’t be the only ones benefiting from the Starlink Internet access.