United Receives FAA Certification for First Starlink-Equipped Mainline Aircraft
United Airlines (NYSE:UAL) has achieved FAA certification for its first mainline Starlink-equipped aircraft, with the inaugural commercial flight scheduled for October 15 from Newark/New York on a Boeing 737-800. The certification follows United's significant agreement with SpaceX to provide free Starlink Wi-Fi to MileagePlus members across its fleet.
The airline has already installed Starlink on over 50% of its regional fleet since May 2025, with 90% customer satisfaction for streaming capabilities. The Starlink system offers speeds up to 250 Mbps, enabling streaming services, shopping, and gaming. The technology's lighter weight and weather-proof design contribute to fuel efficiency and easier maintenance.
[ "Achieved FAA certification for Starlink on mainline aircraft ahead of October 15 launch", "High customer satisfaction with 90% positive feedback on regional fleet implementation", "Starlink installed on over 50% of regional fleet with 50 installations per month", "System's lighter weight reduces fuel consumption and maintenance costs", "Free Wi-Fi service for MileagePlus members with speeds up to 250 Mbps" ]United Airlines (NYSE:UAL) ha ottenuto la certificazione FAA per il suo primo aereo di linea principale dotato di Starlink, con il primo volo commerciale previsto per il 15 ottobre da Newark/New York su un Boeing 737-800. La certificazione segue l'importante accordo tra United e SpaceX per offrire Wi‑Fi Starlink gratuito ai membri MileagePlus su tutta la flotta.
L'azienda ha già installato Starlink su più del 50% della sua flotta regionale sin da maggio 2025, con un 90% di soddisfazione dei clienti per le capacità di streaming. Il sistema Starlink offre velocità fino a 250 Mbps, consentendo streaming, shopping e gaming. Il design più leggero e resistente alle intemperie contribuisce all'efficienza del carburante e a una manutenzione più agevole.
United Airlines (NYSE:UAL) ha obtenido la certificación de la FAA para su primer avión de línea principal equipado con Starlink, y el primer vuelo comercial está programado para el 15 de octubre desde Newark/New York a bordo de un Boeing 737-800. La certificación sigue al importante acuerdo entre United y SpaceX para ofrecer Wi‑Fi Starlink gratis a los miembros MileagePlus en toda su flota.
La aerolínea ya ha instalado Starlink en más del 50% de su flota regional desde mayo de 2025, con un 90% de satisfacción de los clientes para las capacidades de streaming. El sistema Starlink ofrece velocidades de hasta 250 Mbps, lo que permite streaming, compras y juegos. La tecnología, más ligera y con diseño resistente a la intemperie, contribuye a la eficiencia del combustible y a un mantenimiento más sencillo.
유나이티드 항공(NYSE:UAL)은 Starlink이 탑재된 주력기종에 대한 FAA 인증을 받았으며, 첫 상업 비행은 10월 15일 뉴어크/뉴욕에서 보잉 737-800으로 예정되어 있습니다. 인증은 MileagePlus 회원 전용의 무료 Starlink Wi‑Fi를 전 노선에 제공하겠다는 SpaceX와의 중요한 계약에 따른 것입니다.
항공사는 2025년 5월부터 이미 지역 기단의 50% 이상에 Starlink를 설치했으며 스트리밍 기능에 대해 고객 만족도 90%를 기록했습니다. Starlink 시스템은 최대 250 Mbps의 속도를 제공해 스트리밍, 쇼핑, 게이밍이 가능하고, 가벼운 무게와 악천후에 강한 설계가 연료 효율성과 유지보수를 용이하게 합니다.
United Airlines (NYSE: UAL) a obtenu la certification de la FAA pour son premier avion de ligne équipé de Starlink, et le premier vol commercial est prévu pour le 15 octobre au départ de Newark/New York à bord d’un Boeing 737-800. Cette certification fait suite à l’accord important entre United et SpaceX pour offrir le Wi‑Fi Starlink gratuit à ses membres MileagePlus sur l’ensemble de la flotte.
La compagnie a déjà installé Starlink sur plus de 50 % de sa flotte régionale depuis mai 2025, avec 90 % de satisfaction client concernant les capacités de streaming. Le système Starlink offre des vitesses jusqu’à 250 Mbps, permettant le streaming, les achats et les jeux. Son poids plus léger et son design résistant aux intempéries contribuent à l’efficacité du carburant et à une maintenance plus facile.
United Airlines (NYSE: UAL) hat die FAA-Zertifizierung für das erste Hauptlinienflugzeug mit Starlink erhalten, der Erstflug ist für den 15. Oktober von Newark/New York an Bord einer Boeing 737-800 geplant. Die Zertifizierung folgt auf Uniteds bedeutende Vereinbarung mit SpaceX, um kostenloses Starlink-Wi‑Fi für MileagePlus-Mitglieder in der gesamten Flotte bereitzustellen.
Die Fluggesellschaft hat Starlink bereits seit Mai 2025 auf über 50% der regionalen Flotte installiert, mit 90% Kundenzufriedenheit bezüglich der Streaming-Fähigkeiten. Das Starlink-System bietet Geschwindigkeiten von bis zu 250 Mbps, was Streaming, Einkäufe und Gaming ermöglicht. Das leichtere Gewicht und das wetterfeste Design tragen zur Kraftstoffeffizienz und zu einfacherer Wartung bei.
United Airlines (NYSE: UAL) قد حصلت على شهادة إدارة الطيران الفدرالية FAA للطائرة الأولى من الخطوط الجوية الرئيسية المجهزة بـ Starlink، ومن المقرر أن تكون الرحلة التجارية الافتتاحية في 15 أكتوبر من نيوارك/نيويورك على متن طائرة بوينغ 737-800. تأتي الشهادة تواكباً مع اتفاق United الهام مع SpaceX لتوفير خدمة Wi‑Fi Starlink مجانية لأعضاء MileagePlus عبر أسطول الشركة.
وقد قامت الشركة حتى الآن بتركيب Starlink على أكثر من 50% من أسطولها الإقليمي منذ مايو 2025، مع رضا العملاء بنسبة 90% عن قدرات البث. يتيح النظام سرعة تصل إلى 250 Mbps، مما يمكّن من البث والتسوق واللعب. الوزن الأخف والتصميم المقاوم للطقس يسهّلان كفاءة الوقود والصيانة.
United Airlines (NYSE: UAL) 已获得 FAA 认证，首架主力线配备 Starlink 的飞机通过认证，首个商业航班定于 10月15日 从纽瓦克/纽约起飞，机型为波音 737-800。此认证紧随 United 与 SpaceX 的重要协议，为 MileagePlus 会员在整个机队提供 免费 Starlink Wi‑Fi。
自 2025 年 5 月起，该航空公司已在 超过 50% 的区域机队中安装 Starlink，流媒体能力的客户满意度达到 90%。Starlink 系统提供高达 250 Mbps 的速度，支持流媒体、购物和游戏。该技术更轻的重量和耐气象设计有助于提高燃油效率并降低维护成本。
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Insights
United's Starlink certification for mainline fleet represents significant passenger experience upgrade with potential competitive advantages.
United Airlines has reached a critical milestone in its fleet connectivity upgrade by securing FAA certification for its first mainline Starlink-equipped aircraft, a Boeing 737-800. This certification comes less than five months after launching Starlink on regional aircraft and less than a year after signing what they call the industry's largest agreement with SpaceX.
The technical implementation is particularly notable. Starlink's system offers significant operational advantages over legacy solutions - it's lighter (reducing fuel consumption), easier to install, more weather-resistant, and more reliable. These efficiency gains could translate to lower maintenance costs and reduced operational disruptions.
Customer satisfaction metrics from the regional fleet rollout are compelling, with 90% of passengers expressing appreciation for the high-speed connectivity. At speeds up to 250 Mbps, this represents a quantum leap over typical in-flight WiFi, which often maxes out at 15-20 Mbps and frequently fails during actual usage.
The strategic decision to offer this premium connectivity free to loyalty program members rather than as a paid service demonstrates United's focus on enhancing customer experience and loyalty program value proposition. By tying this premium amenity to their MileagePlus program while keeping membership free, United creates a frictionless path to capture passenger data and engagement.
This technology integration positions United at the forefront of in-flight connectivity among major U.S. carriers, potentially creating a meaningful competitive differentiation factor in the premium travel segment where reliable connectivity has become increasingly important for business travelers.
United completed equipment installation on first 737-800 and expects first customer flight to depart from
Starlink is now installed on more than half of the aircraft in United's regional fleet, and the airline continues to install Starlink on approximately 50 regional jets each month
This certification comes less than five months since the first Starlink-equipped United customer flight on the Embraer 175 regional aircraft and less than a year since United signed the industry's largest agreement of its kind with SpaceX to bring Starlink's fast, reliable Wi-Fi service free to MileagePlus members on the airline's mainline and regional aircraft fleet.
The FAA approved Starlink's Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) amendment for the Boeing 737-800 to include United's fleet. United completed the equipment installation on its first mainline aircraft and expects the first Starlink-equipped mainline flight to be onboard a United Boeing 737-800 that will fly from
United's first Starlink-equipped regional flight took place on a regional jet in May 2025, and the airline now has Starlink installed on more than half of the aircraft in its regional fleet. Initial customer scores on those flights have been noteworthy with
"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."
Starlink stands to unlock an incredible onboard experience for United customers – the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky, for free.
Starlink continues to secure an FAA STC to install Starlink on every United aircraft type getting the new equipment – more than 16 total regional and mainline aircraft models.
The FAA certification process involves approval of the design, installation, testing and certification of the system to ensure safe and reliable operations. United unveiled the Starlink installation process earlier this year, underscoring the technical operations benefits associated with the equipment, including size and weight as well as the ease of install and maintenance. The Starlink system, when compared to non-Starlink equipment, allows for a faster and simpler installation because it is lighter, requiring less fuel to operate the aircraft and is more reliable and weather-proofed.
Starlink is free for all MileagePlus® customers and includes game-changing inflight entertainment experiences like streaming services, shopping, gaming and more, thanks to Wi-Fi speeds up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps). Membership to MileagePlus® is also free, and people can sign-up now at united.com/starlink.
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About United
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About Starlink
Starlink is the world's most advanced satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit, delivering reliable broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls, and more. Starlink is engineered and operated by SpaceX. As the world's leading provider of launch services, and the only provider with an orbital class reusable rocket – SpaceX has deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations. Learn more at http://www.starlink.com and follow @Starlink on X.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans, commitments, strategies and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, known or unknown, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect United's business and market, particularly those identified in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections in United's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law or regulation, United undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.
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