United Airlines (UAL.US) reaches agreement with SpaceX, another airline will provide Starlink WiFi.

US United Airlines (UAL.US) said on Friday it plans to offer free onboard Wi-Fi provided by SpaceX's Starlink on its hundreds of jet aircraft, marking SpaceX's largest onboard internet deal to date. Currently, airlines have been investing in faster onboard Wi-Fi. The deal between United Airlines and Starlink covers a fleet of over 1,000 aircraft, with the company stating that it will begin testing Starlink services on airplanes in early 2025. Delta Air Lines, Inc. announced in early 2023 that members of its SkyMiles loyalty program will have free access to onboard internet. Hawaiian Airlines, which has an agreement with Starlink, also offers free onboard Wi-Fi. JetBlue Airways Corporation has been offering free Wi-Fi for years. SpaceX has also reached an agreement with the semi-private airline JSX. Since its debut in 2020, SpaceX has been steadily expanding its Starlink network and product offerings. The company says there are currently about 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, connecting over 3 million customers in 100 countries. While SpaceX's initial target was consumers, it has since expanded to include other markets such as aviation. US United Airlines lauded SpaceX's satellite service, saying it provides "global internet access, including in remote areas such as oceans, polar regions, and other areas that were previously unreachable by traditional phone or Wi-Fi signals," making it one of the selling points for this American Airlines Group Inc. company that serves the most in the Atlantic and Pacific regions.