United Airlines has reached a major milestone in its inflight connectivity program with the FAA certification of its first mainline aircraft fitted with Starlink satellite internet. The approval, which covers the Boeing 737-800, paves the way for United’s first mainline Starlink-equipped flight scheduled to depart from Newark/New York on October 15, 2025.
The certification marks a significant step forward in United’s broader plan to introduce SpaceX’s high-speed, low-latency Starlink service across both regional and mainline fleets. Less than five months ago, United launched its first Starlink-equipped customer flight on an Embraer 175 regional jet, and today more than half of its regional aircraft are already equipped with the technology. Customer feedback on these flights has been overwhelmingly positive, with 90% of travelers rating the ability to stream onboard as a key enhancement to their journey.
The FAA has formally amended Starlink’s Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to include United’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft type. The certification process involves rigorous evaluation of the system’s design, installation, and performance to ensure operational safety and reliability. According to United, the Starlink system offers advantages beyond passenger experience, it is lighter, more fuel efficient, and more reliable than legacy connectivity hardware, with simplified installation and maintenance procedures.
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United has also worked closely with Starlink on the installation process, emphasizing operational benefits such as smaller equipment footprint, weather resilience, and improved maintainability compared to conventional satellite antennas.
The highlight for passengers is United’s decision to offer Starlink Wi-Fi free of charge to all MileagePlus members. With speeds reaching up to 250 Mbps, travelers can enjoy uninterrupted streaming, online shopping, gaming, and real-time communication from gate to gate. Non-members can also access the service by signing up for the airline’s loyalty program at no cost.
“Customers are loving the Starlink experience onboard our regional aircraft, and our first Starlink-equipped mainline aircraft will bring a superior inflight experience to even more people,” said Grant Milstead, United’s Vice President of Digital Technology. “We’re working to install Starlink and offer game-changing inflight entertainment experiences like streaming services, shopping, gaming, and more.”
The certification is part of United’s industry-leading agreement with SpaceX signed in 2024—the largest of its kind at the time which covers installation of Starlink across more than 16 different aircraft types in both mainline and regional operations. United expects steady rollout across its Boeing and Airbus fleets in the months ahead.
With inflight Wi-Fi now a critical expectation for travelers, Starlink is positioned to set a new benchmark for speed, reliability, and accessibility. For United, the technology represents not just an enhancement to passenger satisfaction but also a competitive differentiator in the global airline market.
As installation progresses fleet-wide, United is positioning itself as one of the first major global carriers to offer consistent, high-performance, free inflight connectivity, a development that could redefine passenger expectations for digital experiences in the cabin.
