On 22 June 2026, United Airlines launched Starlink Wi-Fi on a wide-body transatlantic flight. The Boeing 777-200ER flying from Newark to London Heathrow marks the carrier’s first transatlantic aircraft to be retrofitted with the technology, while 60 more should follow before the end of 2026.
In September 2024, United Airlines announced it had signed an agreement with Elon Musk’s SpaceX in order to employ its Starlink fleet of satellites, offering free in-flight wi-fi to its customers on mainland and regional flights. Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites aim to deliver reliable internet around the world, including remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals. The first mainland United Airlines plane equipped with the technology was launched in October 2025, and since then, some 400 others have followed.
Until now, however, the Starlink Wi-Fi has been installed only on regional and domestic flights. United flight 14, which departed from Newark on 22 June 2026 and arrived at London using a Boeing 777-200, marked the first of the airline’s long-haul fleet to be retrofitted with Starlink.
@united Took our tiny mic to the airport to get some real reviews of Starlink Wi-Fi #Starlink #WiFI #UnitedAirlines #Travel ♬ original sound – United Airlines
“United is changing what it means to stay connected on an overseas flight. 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 in-flight experience for both our customers and our employees,” said David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer.
United Airlines travellers can expect to see Starlink-equipped 777-200 aircraft on routes between United’s hub airports in Newark, Washington D.C, Houston, and San Francisco, and popular international destinations including London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Paris, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, and more.
Since the Starlink Wi-Fi was launched at United Airlines, 18.6 million passengers have travelled on Starlink-equipped aircraft across more than 311,000 flights. Some 9.9 million devices overall made use of the service, which is free for United MileagePlus members.
“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. 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 travellers than ever before,” commented Ankit Gupta, United’s Chief Air Operations Officer.
According to United, over 400 of its planes have been equipped with Starlink at the time of writing, while 1,000 aircraft should be outfitted before the end of 2026, including 60 wide-body planes. The entire wide-body fleet is expected to have it onboard by the Summer of 2027. Travellers will thus be able to continue gaming, shopping, working, and trip planning while in the air – even on multiple devices simultaneously.
