United Airlines has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the first aircraft model equipped with Starlink connectivity. The first commercial flight featuring this technology is scheduled for May—less than eight months after the agreement with SpaceX was first announced.
The FAA granted the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Embraer 175 model, and the inaugural passenger flight will take place aboard a United Express Embraer 175. United plans to install the system on approximately 40 regional aircraft per month, aiming to upgrade its entire two-cabin regional fleet—comprising over 300 aircraft—by the end of the year.
Alongside the certification, the airline will launch a testing program on select flights to assess system performance before the start of commercial service.
“We know customers will appreciate this experience, and we believe it will be an added advantage when choosing us,” said Grant Milstead, United’s Vice President of Digital Technology. “We’re working closely with Starlink and the FAA to complete installations this year and deliver a top-tier onboard experience,” he added.
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United plans to obtain an STC for each aircraft type receiving the Starlink system, covering more than 16 models across regional and mainline fleets. According to the FAA, the certification process includes design, installation, testing, and final approval stages.
In early March, the airline showcased the installation process, highlighting operational benefits such as lower weight and size, easier maintenance, and higher reliability under adverse weather conditions.
Starlink access will be free for members of the MileagePlus® program and will include onboard entertainment options such as streaming platforms, online shopping, and gaming. Connection speeds will reach up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps), far surpassing current capabilities on regional aircraft.
AUTOR
Corresponsal de Prensa de Colombia, Centroamérica y el Caribe. Escribo sobre aviones y música, creo contenido digital en redes y capturo cuanto avión se me cruce en el cielo o en la tierra.
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