United Airlines Collaborates With Starlink For Free Internet Service On Airplanes

United Airlines has signed a strategic agreement with Starlink (photo: x @runews)

United Airlines announced that it has signed a strategic agreement with Starlink, a satellite-based internet service owned by Elon Musk via SpaceX. This deal will deliver high-speed internet services across the United Airlines aircraft fleet, consisting of more than 1,000 aircraft.

United plans to offer this service free of charge to all passengers, making it one of the first airlines to provide free internet connectivity on flights via satellite technology.

Starlink is known as a provider of satellite internet services that initially targeted consumers in rural areas and remote locations with limited internet access. In recent years, the company has begun to expand its market reach by targeting airlines. Apart from United Airlines, Starlink has also collaborated with Hawaiian Airlines and JSX, a regional airline in the United States.

In its announcement, United Airlines stated that preliminary testing for Starlink internet services will begin in early 2025. This testing process will be carried out in stages, with the aim that the service can be used by passengers on commercial flights by the end of 2025.

"We are pleased to be working with Starlink in an effort to improve the flight experience of our passengers. Fast and reliable internet access while in the air is an important part of the comfort of modern travel, and we are committed to delivering the best technology to our customers," a United Airlines spokesperson said in an official statement.

One of the interesting aspects of this collaboration is United Airlines' decision to provide free Starlink internet services for all its passengers. This step is expected to increase airline competitiveness in the global aviation industry, especially with the increasing need for connectivity during flights, both for personal and business purposes.

"The internet speed offered by Starlink is able to support various passenger needs, ranging from internet browsing, video streaming, to other business purposes, without interruption," the spokesperson added.

This deal marks a major step in the world of commercial aviation, where high-quality internet connectivity in the air is becoming increasingly service standards. Previously, many airlines offered internet services on planes at added costs and quality that were often slow. However, with the presence of Starlink, United Airlines passengers can enjoy a faster and free of charge internet connection.

The presence of this service is also expected to affect the choice of passengers in choosing airlines, especially for those who need internet access to work or entertainment during flights.

With testing set to begin in 2025 and full launches at the end of the same year, United Airlines passengers can soon enjoy the benefits of this advanced technology.