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United Airlines has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first major U.S. airline to offer Starlink Wi-Fi on a mainline flight. United Flight 2940, which traveled from Newark, New Jersey, to Houston, Texas, marked this historic moment on Wednesday. The flight provided passengers with connectivity on both personal devices and in-flight entertainment screens.
United's Chief Customer Officer, David Kinzelman, emphasized the airline's commitment to enhancing the onboard experience. He stated, "Whether it's catching a live game, streaming an award show, or working, United customers won't miss a beat when they're onboard a Starlink-equipped flight."
The airline plans to install Starlink on 15 mainline 737-800 planes each month and aims to have another aircraft type certified for Starlink by the end of the year. Each 737-800 aircraft will be equipped with two Starlink antennas, contributing to a total of nearly 2,940 antennas across United's fleet. Interestingly, this number matches the flight number of the first customer flight offering Starlink.
United Airlines offers Starlink Wi-Fi free of charge for United MileagePlus® members. Passengers will receive a notification before their flight if it is equipped with Starlink, ensuring they can enjoy seamless connectivity during their journey.
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