The Blubber

United Airlines has reached an agreement with Elon Musk's SpaceX to provide satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on its flights within the next few years.

The airline announced on Friday that the service will be free for passengers and will support multiple device connections.

United plans to start testing the service early next year and expects to introduce it on select flights by late 2025.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

This announcement comes as airlines compete to enhance their offerings to attract passengers. United's aim is to make in-flight internet experience comparable to what passengers enjoy on the ground, including browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Delta Air Lines began providing free in-flight Wi-Fi last year using Viasat, a competitor to Starlink. Hawaiian Airlines already uses Starlink for free internet service on Airbus A321neo flights between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. United intends to implement Starlink more broadly across its fleet of over 1,000 United and United Express planes.

Linda Jojo, United's chief customer officer, noted that free Wi-Fi has become a crucial amenity for U.S. passengers, regardless of their seat location or ticket price.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re sitting or how much you paid for your ticket; you’re going to benefit from this service,” Jojo said.

Starlink will provide internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be unreliable or absent, she added.

SpaceX’s owner, Elon Musk, has been a notable supporter of Donald Trump, engaging in friendly conversations with the former president on X and making numerous pro-Republican posts. United considered the potential implications of partnering with a politically influential figure in a divided country.

“We’re certainly aware of Elon Musk’s public statements and the fact that SpaceX and Starlink are under his control,” Jojo said. “While we have discussed this, our primary focus is on delivering significant benefits to our customers.”