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Starlink is the “next big thing” in commercial aviation, and nobody can convince me otherwise. It has only just begun its rise, and I’m not sure most people grasp how much of a game-changer it is: imagine free, incredibly fast wi-fi available to all passengers, and United is the latest to have a major update on that front.
United’s Incredible Starlink Rollout
United first announced Starlink in September 2024 and is now quickly picking up the pace of installation. Initially, United promised to have 1,000+ planes with Starlink onboard by the end of 2027, and now has moved that up an entire year, with 1,000 planes to have Starlink by the end of this year.
United Flight 14 from Newark to London took off on June 22, 2026, as its first widebody to offer Starlink. By late 2026, nearly 60 widebody aircraft will offer Starlink connectivity, with all widebodies scheduled to receive the technology by Summer 2027.
Taking a look at United’s entire fleet, more than 400 planes already have Starlink today, with most being Airbus A320s and Boeing 737 narrowbody aircraft.
Notably, Aeroplan and United MileagePlus members offer reciprocal free Wi-Fi, so your Aeroplan number is the ticket to free wi-fi. To see if your United flight is equipped with Starlink, check the flight status on United’s website.
This banner will be shown if your upcoming flight has Starlink
It’s rare to see an airline underpromise and overdeliver, and I’m ecstatic to see United’s timeline for Starlink move up significantly.
Why Starlink Matters
Starlink is the future when it comes to the standard for in-flight wifi: free, incredibly fast, and able to log in to multiple devices. Gone are the days of paying $20+ for “email-speed” wifi, $40+ for “streaming-speed” wifi.
I hadn’t quite grasped the impressiveness of Starlink at 38,000 feet until I experienced it for myself. The first (and only) time I tried Starlink was on an Air France flight from Paris to Toronto, and it was so mind-blowing that seeking out planes with Starlink is completely worth any extra effort. I was able to work just as efficiently as at home and stream Netflix in 4K, all after logging in with my Flying Blue credentials.
Starlink speeds on board Air France
When flying across North America, United is my airline of choice if my aircraft offers Starlink. Especially when flying economy, Starlink is the difference between “wasting” multiple hours in the air and being productive, which makes a huge difference to me. In Canada, WestJet also offers Starlink.
Even for leisure travellers, I suspect most won’t want to go back to “regular” planes after streaming TikTok, playing live video games, and video-calling their friends with no lag and at no additional cost. I’ll leave the ethics and morals of video calls to you, but it’s worth noting that both Air France and Qatar specifically mention video calls as a benefit of Starlink.
My take is that as more and more airlines adopt Starlink, the gap between those that do and those that don’t will feel massive: it’ll be like the difference between dial-up and fibre-optic internet. That divide isn’t fully apparent yet because industry adoption remains in its early stages, but airlines are moving quickly to install it.
Takeaway
United’s accelerated Starlink rollout is great news not just for United flyers, but for the industry as a whole. The airline now expects to have more than 1,000 aircraft equipped by the end of 2026, a full year ahead of schedule, and nearly 60 widebody aircraft fully equipped by late 2026. All widebodies will have Starlink by Summer 2027.
Personally, I now view Starlink the same way I view lie-flat seats or lounge access: it’s become a meaningful factor in my airline choice. That might sound over the top today, but I suspect we’ll look back in a few years and wonder how we ever tolerated paying for slow, unreliable Wi-Fi. The airlines that adopt Starlink quickly will have a real competitive advantage, while those that don’t risk feeling increasingly outdated.
Featured Image Credit: United Airlines
