United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-connected mainline aircraft
United Airlines’ first mainline Starlink-connected aircraft is set to take off next month after receiving official FAA certification.
This certification comes less than five months since the first Starlink-equipped United customer flight on the Embraer 175 regional aircraft.
United partnered with SpaceX less than a year ago to bring Starlink’s Wi-Fi service free to MileagePlus members aboard mainline and regional aircraft.
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 operate on October 15.
United’s first Starlink-equipped regional flight took place on a regional jet in May 2025, and has Starlink installed on more than half of the aircraft in its regional fleet.
“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 offer game-changing inflight entertainment experiences like streaming services, shopping, gaming and more.”
The FAA certification process involves approval of the design, installation, testing and certification of the system to ensure safe and reliable operations.
Starlink is free for all MileagePlus customers.
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