FAA approves Starlink for United Airlines' aircraft

United has announced that the FAA has approved its first aircraft type equipped with Starlink, with the inaugural commercial flight set for May. This comes less than eight months after the initial deal was revealed.

The FAA has granted a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Embraer 175, and the airline anticipates that the first commercial flight will take place on a United Express Embraer 175. United is rapidly advancing its deployment of this new technology, with around 40 regional jet installations scheduled each month. They expect to finish installing it across their entire two-cabin regional fleet of over 300 aircraft by the end of the year.

Alongside obtaining the STC, United will conduct a beta test of the new technology on select flights from now until the first customer flight in May, aiming to ensure that every element provides an exceptional onboard experience for passengers.

"We are confident that customers will truly enjoy this experience, providing them with another reason to choose United," stated Grant Milstead, United's Vice President of Digital Technology. "We are collaborating closely with Starlink and the FAA to complete installations on our regional fleet this year, ensuring the best inflight experience reaches even more travelers in the sky."

United will collaborate with Starlink to obtain an FAA STC for installing Starlink on all types of United aircraft receiving new equipment, including over 16 models across regional and mainline fleets, such as the Embraer 175. The FAA states that the procedure for obtaining each STC may involve design, installation, testing, and the submission of the package for FAA approval.

Earlier this month, United introduced the Starlink installation process, highlighting its technical advantages such as reduced size and weight, alongside the simplicity of installation and maintenance. Compared to non-Starlink equipment, the Starlink system facilitates a quicker and easier installation, is lighter, which leads to lower fuel consumption, and offers enhanced reliability and weather resistance.

Starlink access will be complimentary for all MileagePlus members, offering revolutionary inflight entertainment options such as streaming services, shopping, gaming, and more. This enhancement is made possible by Wi-Fi speeds reaching up to 250 megabits per second (Mbps), which is 50 times faster than the speeds of current regional aircraft. Joining MileagePlus is also free, and individuals can register now on the official website.