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The basics:

• United launches Starlink Wi-Fi on its 1st transatlantic widebody flight
• Newark-to-London flight operated by a Boeing 777-200
• Nearly 60 United widebody aircraft expected to receive Starlink in 2026
• Starlink Wi-Fi free for United MileagePlus members

United Airlines took another step in its Starlink rollout June 22, as its first widebody aircraft equipped with the satellite-based internet service departed Newark for London.

Operated by a Boeing 777-200, United Flight 14 became the airline’s first transatlantic widebody customer flight to offer Starlink Wi-Fi. The trip marks a major milestone in United’s effort to bring high-speed connectivity to long-haul international travelers.

The aircraft is the first of nearly 60 United widebody aircraft expected to receive Starlink this year. The carrier said it expects to outfit its entire widebody fleet with the service by next summer as it expands high-speed internet access across its global network.

Extreme ‘remote work’

United says it plans to use Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellite network to provide reliable internet service over oceans, polar regions and other remote areas where traditional inflight connectivity has often previously been limited.

The airline has already equipped more than 400 United aircraft with Starlink. It expects that figure to reach nearly 1,000 planes by the end of the year.

In October 2025, United Airlines launched its first Starlink-equipped mainline flight, which took off from Newark airport.

International travelers can expect to see Starlink-enabled Boeing 777-200s operating on routes between United’s hubs in Newark/New York, Washington, D.C., Houston and San Francisco and destinations including London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Paris, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires and Tokyo.

Transforming inflight experiences

“United is changing what it means to stay connected on an overseas flight,” said the airline’s chief customer officer, David Kinzelman. “Starlink offers the same fast, reliable internet access and connectivity we’re all used to at home, delivered in the air at 35,000 feet, flying anywhere around the world. This technology has the potential to transform how we think about the inflight experience for both our customers and our employees.”

Since installing Starlink Wi-Fi last spring, United said more than 18.6 million passengers have traveled on aircraft equipped with the technology across more than 311,000 flights, with nearly 9.9 million devices connecting to the service.

The airline said customer satisfaction scores related to Wi-Fi on those aircraft have nearly doubled during that period.

United says Starlink will support activities such as online gaming, video streaming, real-time work collaboration, cloud-based file sharing and simultaneous connections across multiple devices.

“Our ability to deploy Starlink Wi-Fi across our fleet at this speed and scale is a testament to the expertise of our team and the strength of our collaboration with Starlink,” said Ankit Gupta, United’s chief air operations officer. “Together, we’ve built a highly efficient installation program that is transforming the onboard experience for our customers.

“With Starlink expected on close to 1,000 aircraft by year-end, we’re moving quickly to bring fast, reliable connectivity to more travelers than ever before.”

Starlink Wi-Fi is available free to United MileagePlus members, and customers are notified before departure if their flight is equipped with the service.