
Sky-High Wi-Fi Dreams: United Airlines Faces Setback with Starlink Rollout
2025-06-06
Author: Ling
United Airlines was soaring towards a revolutionary in-flight experience with its Starlink Wi-Fi, but now the company has hit some unexpected turbulence.
Recent reports reveal that the airline has temporarily disabled Starlink on nearly two dozen Embraer E175 regional jets due to troublesome radio interference. This means that passengers on these flights will have to fly without internet connectivity for the time being.
The cause? Pilots have reported disruptive static on their communications following radio transmissions from planes equipped with the new Starlink technology. United has taken swift action, opting to turn off Starlink connectivity across its fleet until a solution is implemented.
A spokesperson for United confirmed the situation, stating, "Starlink is now installed on about two dozen United regional aircraft. Our teams are actively collaborating with Starlink to rectify a few reports of static interference—a common issue with new onboard Wi-Fi systems. We anticipate restoring service on these aircraft promptly."
United reassured that this interference does not compromise flight safety, as similar issues have occurred in past Wi-Fi rollouts. The airline is already on the hunt for a fix, with a third of the affected planes reportedly receiving the remedy and reintegrating high-speed Wi-Fi.
Instead of pulling jets out of service, United plans to implement this fix during scheduled maintenance visits, ensuring that passenger flights remain uninterrupted. The airline aims to reconnect Starlink over the next few weeks, but travelers should remain aware that this timeline could be subject to change.
As summer travel heats up, this disruption could impact hundreds of eager flyers hoping for seamless internet access. United isn't letting this setback slow its ambitious rollout—40 more Embraer E175 jets are being retrofitted this month, with plans to extend the upgrades to CRJ-550 regional jets soon.
Ultimately, United's vision for a fleet-wide Starlink installation remains intact, with full reconfiguration expected by the end of the year. The best news? Wi-Fi access will be free for passengers with a MileagePlus account, allowing connectivity for as many devices as you can bring on board.
Though this hiccup has introduced a temporary setback, United is hopeful that the issues with Starlink will be resolved swiftly, bringing their Wi-Fi experience to new heights.