United Airlines is taking a major step toward transforming the flying experience by partnering with SpaceX’s Starlink to bring high-speed satellite Wi-Fi to its fleet. The move promises to eliminate the frustrations of slow in-flight internet and could ultimately spell the end of the traditional “airplane mode” era.
The Starlink service, which relies on low Earth orbit satellites, offers significantly faster and more reliable connectivity than older systems. With this upgrade, United passengers will be able to stream video, browse the web, join video calls, and use messaging apps without interruption — all from 35,000 feet above the ground.
This change challenges long-held norms about in-flight device usage. While cellular calling remains restricted by regulation, the need for airplane mode is being rethought as internet access becomes more seamless and secure during flights. The availability of real-time internet could redefine how travelers work and relax in the sky.
United plans to deploy Starlink across hundreds of aircraft by the end of the year, making it one of the first major airlines to embrace this cutting-edge technology at scale. As more airlines follow suit, flying connected may soon become as common as flying itself.
