United Airlines marked a major milestone in inflight connectivity this week with the launch of its first Starlink-equipped mainline flight, which took off from Newark Liberty International Airport at 8 a.m. Oct. 15.

The flight — United 2940, operated on a Boeing 737-800 — marks the first time a major U.S. airline has offered Starlink Wi-Fi not just for personal devices, but also directly through seatback entertainment systems on a mainline aircraft. More than 170 passengers were onboard for the inaugural flight from EWR to Houston.

United plans to install Starlink on up to 15 of its 737-800 aircraft each month, with a goal of adding another aircraft type later this year. More than half of the airline’s regional fleet already offers the high-speed, low-latency service. The carrier expects to install nearly 2,940 antennas across its fleet in total.

“We’re committed to raising the bar when it comes to the onboard experience, and with Starlink, we’re changing how people fly,” said United Chief Customer Officer David Kinzelman. “Whether it’s catching a live game, streaming an award show or working, United customers won’t miss a beat when they’re onboard a Starlink-equipped flight.”

Introducing Starlink Wi-Fi on United flights:

How it works

Starlink connectivity will be free for United MileagePlus members, and travelers will receive a notification if their aircraft is equipped with the service.

United says the new Wi-Fi offering is designed to replicate the kind of internet speed passengers have at home, enabling them to:

• Stream live TV and other content on personal devices or seatback screens without buffering or lag
• Work collaboratively in real time, including file sharing and video conferencing
• Play live online games or follow gaming streams midair
• Shop and make real-time reservations
• Connect multiple devices at once — phone, tablet, laptop and seatback screen simultaneously

More to come

United first introduced Starlink on a regional jet in May. Since then, the airline reports that 90% of surveyed customers praise the ease and speed of the connection.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, which owns Starlink, posted on social media about the launch, saying, “Starlink starting to go live on United!”

The Starlink rollout fits into United’s broader investment in inflight technology and customer experience, including a plan to install over 300,000 seatback screens across its fleet — more than any other U.S. airline.

As the airline takes delivery of new aircraft and retrofits its existing fleet, it aims to further differentiate its inflight offering and build stronger loyalty among travelers.