United’s Embraer 175 gets FAA approval for Starlink, first flight scheduled
United Airlines has revealed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved its first aircraft type equipped with Starlink, less than eight months after finalizing a deal with SpaceX for the service.
On March 31, 2025, a statement by United announced that the FAA had granted a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the aircraft, with plans for the first commercial flight featuring Starlink in-flight internet to take place on a United Express Embraer 175. According to United, the inaugural flight is set for May 2025.
The announcement comes a couple of weeks after the airline announced that it had begun the roll out of SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi connectivity system on its regional aircraft fleet.
United said that the deployment of this new technology is speeding up, with approximately 40 installations planned for each month.
The airline expects that its entire two-cabin regional fleet, which includes over 300 aircraft, will be fully equipped with Starlink by the end of 2025.
In addition to securing the STC, United mentioned that it will run a beta test of the new technology on select flights between now and the first customer flight, “to ensure all aspects deliver an incredible onboard experience for passengers.”
“We know customers are going to love this experience, and we think it will give them yet another reason to choose United,” said Grant Milstead, United’s Vice President of Digital Technology. “We’re working closely with Starlink and the FAA to finish installs on our regional fleet this year and bring the best inflight experience in the sky to more and more people.”
United announced plans to collaborate with SpaceX for installing Starlink connectivity on all types of its aircraft back in September 2024. Starlink access will be free for all members of United’s MileagePlus loyalty program.
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The post United’s Embraer 175 gets FAA approval for Starlink, first flight scheduled appeared first on AeroTime.
United Airlines has revealed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved its first aircraft type equipped with Starlink,…
The post United’s Embraer 175 gets FAA approval for Starlink, first flight scheduled appeared first on AeroTime.
