United Airlines said Friday it will offer free in-flight Wi-Fi powered by Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starlink on hundreds of its aircraft, the largest in-flight internet deal to date for a satellite service provider.
The merger comes as airlines invest in faster in-flight Wi-Fi, and in some cases offer it for free, to attract higher-paying customers such as business travelers.
Delta Air Lines said it will offer free in-flight internet for members of its SkyMiles loyalty program in early 2023. Hawaiian Airlines, which has a deal with Starlink, also offers free Wi-Fi on its planes. JetBlue Airways has offered free Wi-Fi for years.
SpaceX also previously signed a deal with semi-private airline JSX.
United Airlines currently offers in-flight internet from a number of providers, including ViaSat and Panasonic, charging loyalty program members $8 and other members $10 for access on domestic and short-haul international flights.
The airline expects Starlink to be installed on more than 1,000 aircraft in the “next several years,” with the service’s first passenger flights scheduled to take off early next year. United said the Wi-Fi will provide “gate-to-gate” connectivity.
United Airlines praised SpaceX’s satellite service, saying it provides “internet access around the world, including over oceans, polar regions and other remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals,” and that it is a selling point for U.S. airlines. It offers the best service across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
SpaceX has been steadily expanding its Starlink network and product offerings since its debut in 2020. The company says there are currently about 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, connecting more than 3 million customers in 100 countries. SpaceX initially targeted private customers but has expanded into other markets, including aviation.