(NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, USA) The FAA has approved United Airlines’ first Starlink-equipped mainline jet, a Boeing 737-800, clearing the way for the airline’s inaugural commercial flight with the satellite system on October 15, 2025, departing from Newark Liberty International Airport. The sign-off, issued through a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), marks a key step in United’s plan to bring high-speed, low-latency internet to more of its fleet. It follows earlier FAA certification and rollout on regional Embraer 175 aircraft that started carrying passengers with Starlink service in May 2025.
United’s push to bring Starlink across both regional and mainline fleets sets the carrier apart in the U.S. market. The airline says it is working with Starlink and the FAA to secure STCs for more than 16 aircraft types, aiming to equip over 1,000 planes in the coming years. For travelers—especially new arrivals, students, and mixed-status families who rely on real-time messaging, video calls, and translation tools—always-on inflight connectivity can ease stressful trips and help people stay in touch during long travel days across the United States 🇺🇸.
Certification and rollout timeline
United began its Starlink rollout on the Embraer 175 after FAA approval in March 2025, launching the first commercial service in May 2025. The airline says it is retrofitting about 40 regional jets per month, targeting more than 300 two-cabin regional aircraft equipped by the end of 2025.
With the Boeing 737-800 now approved, United expects to expand quickly into more mainline types, using a common approach to hardware and maintenance to scale the program.
Passenger feedback has been positive. Surveys on Starlink-enabled regional flights show nearly 90% of travelers praised the speed and reliability. United plans to offer Starlink Wi‑Fi free to MileagePlus members, with bandwidth to support streaming, gaming, video calls, and onboard shopping.
The FAA’s STC process confirms that Starlink hardware—mounted on the aircraft and integrated with cockpit and cabin systems—meets required safety and airworthiness standards. United highlights the system’s lighter hardware and simpler maintenance compared with older equipment, which can lower fuel burn and improve reliability, especially when weather complicates operations.
United believes that simpler parts and fewer service disruptions will:
- Reduce cancellations tied to Wi‑Fi equipment faults
- Cut time on the ground for fixes
- Improve overall operational reliability
United did face a bump in June 2025, when it temporarily disabled Starlink on about two dozen regional planes to address unexpected static interference. The airline says it resolved the issue and kept the broader rollout on track. Early technical setbacks are common in large-scale projects; United emphasizes rapid testing, targeted fixes, and close coordination with regulators and Starlink engineers to restore service while keeping safety first.
What this means for travelers
Reliable inflight Wi‑Fi can be more than a perk — it can be a lifeline, especially for immigrants and international families.
- Real-time updates: sponsors confirming pickup plans, schools emailing forms, or lawyers sending time-sensitive directions
- Improved communication: lower latency helps video calls and live messaging feel more natural
- Practical help: translation apps, online checklists, housing searches, and banking tasks while on the move
United’s Newark launch matters because the airport is a major gateway for transatlantic and domestic travel. As Starlink moves from regional jets to mainline aircraft, reach will extend across long-haul and high-demand routes, helping travelers keep working, learning, and connecting in the air.
Uniform hardware across many aircraft types should:
- Reduce the patchwork of different onboard networks
- Make it easier for flight crews to support customers
- Provide clearer troubleshooting steps when passengers need help logging in
Key points confirmed by United
- First mainline flight with Starlink: October 15, 2025, from Newark, on a Boeing 737-800.
- Regional fleet progress: E175 Starlink service began in May 2025; about 40 aircraft are being retrofitted each month, with 300+ two-cabin regional aircraft targeted by year-end.
- Future scope: STCs sought for 16+ aircraft types, with a goal of 1,000+ planes equipped over the coming years.
- Customer feedback: Nearly 90% of surveyed passengers on early Starlink flights praised speed and reliability.
- Cost to customers: Wi‑Fi offered free to MileagePlus members, with support for streaming, gaming, and shopping.
Safety, certification, and technical considerations
For official details on the certification pathway that made this possible, see the FAA’s page on Supplemental Type Certificates, which explains how modifications—like installing Starlink antennas and avionics—are evaluated and approved. The STC confirms the installation meets safety standards when added to a specific aircraft model, a step every airline must follow before offering passengers a new system at scale.
United says Starlink hardware’s lighter weight can reduce fuel use and emissions compared with older equipment. While the airline has not shared a fleet-wide impact figure, even small fuel savings add up across thousands of flights. Better reliability in bad weather also matters in practical ways: fewer system resets and less tinkering by crew can shorten delays and keep tight connections smoother.
United’s temporary June 2025 disablement of Starlink on several regional aircraft demonstrates the importance of:
- Rapid testing and diagnosis
- Targeted software/hardware fixes
- Close coordination with regulators and equipment engineers
Those steps helped keep the overall rollout on track.
Broader implications and outlook
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, strong onboard connectivity can help travelers manage urgent tasks tied to moves and travel plans—rebooking legs when delays hit, updating digital I-94 records, contacting schools and landlords, and keeping legal and family contacts informed while in transit. Even simple comforts—like streaming a child’s favorite show during a long taxi-out—can reduce stress on packed travel days.
Looking ahead, United’s plan to expand Starlink to more mainline types will be the real test. High-traffic routes require steady bandwidth across many users. If performance remains strong as cabin loads rise, the airline could set a new standard for U.S. carriers and push competitors to match. If not, pressure will grow to fine-tune hardware and network capacity.
United’s move also reflects a wider shift among airlines toward space-based broadband. Satellite networks promise fewer dead zones than legacy ground systems, which struggled on ocean crossings and remote routes. As more aircraft connect, the industry will need to balance demand, cost, and speed without cutting service quality.
Early surveys and United’s Newark launch point to a promising start, but large-scale, repeated performance will determine whether Starlink can handle full cabins day after day.
This Article in a Nutshell
The FAA has approved United Airlines’ first mainline Starlink installation—the Boeing 737-800—clearing the way for the inaugural commercial flight with the satellite broadband system on October 15, 2025, from Newark. United already began Starlink service on Embraer 175 regional jets in May 2025 and is retrofitting about 40 regional aircraft per month, aiming to equip over 300 two-cabin regional jets by year-end. The airline plans STCs for more than 16 aircraft types with an ambition to outfit over 1,000 planes. Passenger surveys show nearly 90% satisfaction, and MileagePlus members will get free Wi‑Fi. The STC confirms safety and airworthiness; lighter hardware may lower fuel burn and improve reliability. United resolved a June 2025 static interference issue and emphasizes testing and regulatory coordination as rollout continues.
