FAA Approves United Airlines for Starlink

First commercial flights slated for May

Meg Godlewski

Monday, March 31, 2025 at 01:10 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: Steve Spears

Key Takeaways:

United Airlines has received FAA approval to operate Starlink-equipped aircraft, with the first customer flights scheduled to begin in May on a United Express Embraer 175.
The airline plans to complete Starlink installations on its entire two-cabin regional fleet (over 300 planes) by the end of the year, while also seeking approvals for more than 16 total aircraft models.
Starlink will offer internet speeds 50 times faster than current systems, be free for all MileagePlus members, and provides operational benefits like lighter equipment and easier installation.

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United Airlines has obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate Starlink-equipped aircraft. The legacy air carrier made the announcement Monday, adding that the first customer flights will begin in May of this year, which is less than eight months since the deal was first announced.

According to United, the FAA issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Embraer 175 and the airline expects the first commercial flight with Starlink will be a United Express Embraer 175.