United Airlines signs deal with SpaceX for free in-flight Wi-Fi

US – Chicago-based United Airlines has signed a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to use its Starlink service to provide free Wi-Fi during flights. The deal will enable flyers to enjoy uninterrupted internet access during flights, including personal streaming, live gaming, online shopping and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. The testing will begin in early next year and the first passenger flights are expected to offer the service later in 2025. 

Powered by advanced satellite technology and years of experience in spacecraft and on-orbit operations, Starlink can deliver internet access around the world, including previously unreachable regions like oceans and polar areas.  

United, the largest US airline across the Atlantic and Pacific with over 1,000 planes, will be the first to offer Starlink’s service on this scale. SpaceX has previously signed deals with other airlines to provide in-flight Wi-Fi, including Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways. 

In Five Airlines Uplifting In-flight Wellness, we examined how the luxury travel sector is reviving the flight experience from exhausting to enriching, with a focus on both entertainment and wellness.