As United Airlines moves toward free high-speed Wi-Fi across its fleet, today marks an important milestone: its first mainline aircraft with Starlink internet will take flight.

United is hosting a media flight today from Chicago to show off the new service. Unfortunately, I am busy in California today with other work obligations, but I’m still excited for this important occasion and I hope that the rollout to other mainline aircraft will be rapid in the months ahead.

I recently experienced Starlink internet on a United Express flight for the first time and consider it a game-changer in terms of United’s internet offering. We’ve come a long way from the day of tepid speeds that could not even load email.

> Read More: My First Starlink Internet Flight On United Airlines

United Airlines will introduce complimentary high-speed wi-fi across its network of mainline and regional jets utilizing Starlink.

United Airlines Will Offer Free Starlink Wi-Fi On All Aircraft Starting In 2025

Thanks to industry insiders like JonNYC, this news was one of the worst-kept secrets in the business, but we now have official confirmation and details. That includes:

• United expects to have Starlink on all United aircraft – more than 1,000 planes – over the next “several years”
• Testing begins in early 2025 with the first passenger flights expected “later” in 2025
• Internet will be free for all passengers
• Internet will work on the ground and function seamlessly gate-to-gate

This evolution of onboard internet is part of United’s broader plan to introduce a Media Network to more closely control and monetize the onboard IFE experience not by charging for content, but through targeted advertising.

> Read More: New United Airlines “Media Network” Is About Forcing Passengers To Watch Ads They Don’t Want To See…And It Is Happening Already

United’s new Starlink Wi-Fi service will include experiences like:

• Live streaming: access personal streaming services and watch live TV, shows and movies without buffering, lag or the need to download content in advance
• Workplace productivity: download/upload documents and edit shared files in real-time
• Gaming: play live games and follow along on live gaming streaming services
• E-Commerce: shop online, schedule grocery delivery and make restaurant and travel reservations all from the comfort of your seat
• Multiple devices: connect multiple devices at once, under one user
• Live support with the United app: download the United app while inflight to get real-time info about connections and access customer support from a real agent through Agent on Demand

Concurrently, United will continue its investment in seatback screens across its entire mainline narrowbody fleet.

Scott Kirby, United’s CEO, said:

“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do onboard a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world. This connectivity opens the door for an even better inflight entertainment experience, in every seatback – more content, that’s more personalized. United’s culture of innovation is, once again, delivering big for our customers.”

United’s internet reliability has already greatly improved over the last two years, but this will usher in an exciting new era.

image: United