The Inflight Wi-Fi Revolution Now Arriving: United Signs Starlink Deal to Provide Industry-Leading Connectivity in the Sky - For Free

Rhea-AI Summary

United Airlines has signed a groundbreaking agreement with SpaceX to provide free Starlink Wi-Fi service across its entire fleet of over 1,000 aircraft. This industry-leading deal aims to revolutionize inflight connectivity, offering passengers gate-to-gate internet access with speeds comparable to ground-based services. The new system will enable live streaming, gaming, and e-commerce on both personal devices and seatback screens simultaneously.

Testing is set to begin in early 2025, with the first passenger flights expected later that year. United's CEO, Scott Kirby, emphasized that this innovation will allow passengers to do virtually anything online at 35,000 feet that they can do on the ground. The service will also benefit United's frontline employees, enhancing operational efficiency and customer service capabilities.

Positive

• Free Starlink Wi-Fi service to be provided on all United aircraft
• Largest agreement of its kind in the airline industry, covering over 1,000 planes
• Enhanced inflight entertainment and productivity options for passengers
• Potential for improved operational efficiency and customer service capabilities for frontline employees

Negative

• None.

Tech Expert

This deal marks a significant leap in inflight connectivity. Starlink's low Earth orbit satellites offer superior speed and reliability compared to traditional satellite internet, especially over remote areas and oceans. This could be a game-changer for United, potentially attracting more business travelers and tech-savvy customers.

The gate-to-gate connectivity is particularly noteworthy, as it eliminates the frustrating "dead zones" during takeoff and landing. This continuous connection could lead to increased productivity and entertainment options for passengers, potentially boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.

However, the implementation timeline is relatively long, with testing beginning in early 2025 and full fleet coverage taking several years. This gives competitors time to catch up, potentially diluting United's first-mover advantage in this space.

Financial Analyst

This partnership represents a significant investment for United, covering over 1,000 aircraft. While the deal's financial terms aren't disclosed, it's likely a substantial long-term commitment. The decision to offer this service for free is intriguing, as it forgoes potential direct revenue from Wi-Fi fees.

However, this move could drive indirect revenue growth through increased bookings, especially from business travelers and tech-savvy consumers who value connectivity. It may also lead to higher in-flight purchases and entertainment consumption, boosting ancillary revenue.

The investment in seatback screens alongside personal device connectivity shows United's commitment to a premium passenger experience. This strategy could help differentiate United in a competitive market, potentially justifying higher fares and improving profit margins in the long run.

Market Research Analyst

This partnership aligns with the growing consumer demand for seamless connectivity, even at 35,000 feet. By offering free, high-quality Wi-Fi, United is addressing a key pain point for many travelers, potentially increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

The ability to use multiple devices simultaneously caters to the modern traveler's needs, whether for work or entertainment. This could be particularly appealing to business travelers and digital nomads, potentially shifting market share in United's favor.

The enhanced inflight entertainment options, including live TV and gaming, could also appeal to leisure travelers, potentially expanding United's customer base. However, the long implementation timeline means United will need to manage customer expectations carefully to avoid disappointment on flights not yet equipped with the new system.

Starlink allows for gate-to-gate internet service and unlocks game-changing inflight entertainment experiences like access to live TV and streaming services, shopping, gaming and more, on seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously

Starlink's low Earth orbit satellites deliver reliable, high-speed, low-latency internet and boost reliability over oceans and other remote areas previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals

Industry's largest agreement includes more than 1,000 aircraft

Testing begins in early 2025 with the first passenger flights expected later next year; United's culture of innovation again delivers big benefits to customers

CHICAGO, Sept. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- United today set a new standard of inflight connectivity by signing the industry's largest agreement of its kind with SpaceX to bring Starlink's fast, reliable Wi-Fi service to the airline's mainline and regional aircraft fleet, for free.

United customers will soon enjoy the same high-speed, low-latency internet service in the air that they enjoy on the ground. The new, gate-to-gate connectivity will unlock game-changing experiences in the sky at scale that no other major U.S. airline provides like access to live TV and streaming services, social media, shopping, gaming and more, on seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously.

United expects to have Starlink on all United aircraft – more than 1,000 planes – over the next several years. Testing begins in early 2025 with the first passenger flights expected later that year.

Starlink service on United aircraft will be free.

Leveraging advanced satellites with its deep experience in both spacecraft and on-orbit operations, Starlink is engineered by SpaceX and delivers internet access around the world, including over oceans, polar regions and other remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals. United is the largest airline across both the Atlantic and Pacific and will be the first carrier in the world to commit to offering Starlink service at this scale.

"Everything you can do on the ground, you'll soon be able to do onboard a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world," said United CEO Scott Kirby. "This connectivity opens the door for an even better inflight entertainment experience, in every seatback – more content, that's more personalized. United's culture of innovation is, once again, delivering big for our customers."

"We're excited to team up with United Airlines to transform the inflight experience," said Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer at SpaceX. "With Starlink onboard your United flight, you'll have access to the world's most advanced high-speed internet from gate to gate, and all the miles in between."

United's new Starlink Wi-Fi service will include experiences like:

• Live streaming: access personal streaming services and watch live TV, shows and movies without buffering, lag or the need to download content in advance.
• Workplace productivity: download/upload documents and edit shared files in real-time.
• Gaming: play live games and follow along on live gaming streaming services.
• E-Commerce: shop online, schedule grocery delivery and make restaurant and travel reservations all from the comfort of your seat.
• Multiple devices: connect multiple devices at once, under one user.
• Live support with the United app: download the United app while inflight to get real-time info about connections and access customer support from a real agent through Agent on Demand.

In addition to using Starlink connectivity on personal devices, United customers also will have access on their seatback screens. United has nearly 100,000 seatback screens across its fleet, with plans to grow these numbers as the airline continues to take delivery of new airplanes and retrofit existing aircraft with its new United signature interiors. The inflight content is available in more than 20 different languages. The new United signature interiors include 16-inch HD touch screens in each United Polaris® business class seat, 13-inch screens in every United First Class seat and 10-inch screens in every United Economy seat. In addition to seatback screens in every seat, United's new signature interior also includes Bluetooth connectivity, power in every seat, larger overhead bins with room for everyone's rollaboard and LED lighting.

The new service will also benefit United's frontline employees – United pilots, flight attendants, technicians and gate agents all use mobile devices to help run the operation and serve customers. As United rolls out the Starlink more broadly, it will give those teams the same rich capabilities in the air, as they have on the ground including when working in remote location or when traditional services might be impacted like during power outages or natural disasters.

United's Industry-Leading Innovations

United is recognized as one of the most innovative companies in the world and has recently launched a series of policies, products and services that are industry-leading:

• Mobile app with live activities: United has the world's most downloaded airline mobile app and is the only U.S. airline with Live Activities that gives customers real-time access to their boarding pass, gate and seat number and countdown clock to departure on the home screens of their phone.
• ConnectionSaver: United is the only airline that uses proprietary technology to determine the best time to hold a flight a few extra minutes so more people can make their connection.
• Stuck in a middle seat?: United is the only airline where customers can log their seat preference in the app and move to a better seat - for free - if it opens up before departure.
• Free family seating: United is the first and only airline to offer a digital, dynamic seat map that allows children under 12 to be seated next to an adult in their party for free at time of booking. Since launching the feature last year, United has helped hundreds of thousands of families book seats together for free.
• Real-time text updates: Using AI tools, United sends travelers text messages that provide personalized trip updates on everything from gate changes and boarding times to more specifics like aircraft swaps and weather events, now even including live radar maps.
• Automatic rebooking assistance: Instead of waiting in line to talk to an agent or search for new options, United's self-service tools automatically present travelers personalized re-booking options, bag tracking information and meal and hotel vouchers when eligible if their flight is delayed or canceled.
• Wheelchair booking tool: United launched a new digital sizing tool that helps customers determine the right aircraft for their wheelchair.
• Agent on Demand: United's virtual, on-demand customer service tool is patented and lets customers video chat, text or call a customer service representative instead of waiting in line at the airport.
• Miles pooling: United became the first major U.S. airline to allow members of its loyalty program, MileagePlus, to pool their miles with family and friends into a joint account.

About United

At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".

About Starlink

Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to users all over the world. As the world's first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit, Starlink delivers broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more. Starlink is engineered and operated by SpaceX. As the world's leading provider of launch services, SpaceX is leveraging its deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations to deploy the world's most advanced broadband internet system.

 

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SOURCE United Airlines

FAQ

When will United Airlines (UAL) start offering Starlink Wi-Fi on its flights?

United Airlines plans to begin testing Starlink Wi-Fi in early 2025, with the first passenger flights expected later that year.

How many United Airlines (UAL) aircraft will be equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi?

United Airlines plans to equip its entire fleet of over 1,000 aircraft with Starlink Wi-Fi over the next several years.

Will passengers have to pay for Starlink Wi-Fi on United Airlines (UAL) flights?

No, Starlink Wi-Fi service on United Airlines flights will be provided free of charge to passengers.

What features will be available with Starlink Wi-Fi on United Airlines (UAL) flights?

Passengers will have access to live streaming, gaming, e-commerce, and productivity tools, with the ability to use multiple devices simultaneously on both personal devices and seatback screens.