United Airlines To Launch First Starlink-Equipped Flight In May; FAA Grants Approval

United Airlines Holdings Inc UAL is set to launch its first commercial flight equipped with Starlink technology in May, just eight months after announcing its partnership with SpaceX.

The airline has secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for the new in-flight connectivity system on the Embraer 175 aircraft, with plans to rapidly expand installations across its fleet.

The FAA has issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Embraer 175, allowing United to bring high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi to its regional routes.

The airline plans to equip around 40 aircraft each month, aiming to complete installation across its entire two-cabin regional fleet, totaling more than 300 jets, before the year concludes.

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“We know customers are going to love this experience, and we think it will give them yet another reason to choose United,” said United’s Vice President of Digital Technology, Grant Milstead.

Ahead of the May launch, United intends to run beta tests on select flights to evaluate performance.

United is collaborating with Starlink to secure FAA certification for additional aircraft models. The objective is to equip over 16 different regional and mainline jet types with Starlink, improving inflight connectivity throughout the airline’s network.

The system’s high-speed Wi-Fi, offering up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps), will enable passengers to stream content, shop online, and engage in real-time gaming.

Passengers enrolled in the airline’s MileagePlus program will enjoy complimentary Starlink access.

Price Action: UAL shares traded lower by 6.74% at $65.50 at last check Monday.

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