United Airlines has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Elon Musk's Starlink, aiming to provide high-speed, complimentary internet service across its entire fleet.
This strategic alliance, the airline believes, will give it a competitive edge in an industry where differentiation is increasingly challenging.
As reported by The New York Post, United Airlines, a Chicago-based company, is counting on this swift internet service to distinguish itself from competitors. This move follows the trend set by airlines such as Delta, which initiated free in-flight Wi-Fi in 2023 through a collaboration with T-Mobile.
The new service will enable passengers on all of Uniteds over 1,000 planes to access live TV, streaming services, and use multiple devices simultaneously, replicating the comfort of their homes. United CEO Scott Kirby expressed his enthusiasm for the new service, stating, Everything you can do on the ground, youll soon be able to do onboard a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world. He further emphasized that this connectivity would enhance the in-flight entertainment experience, offering more personalized content in every seatback.
The financial details of the agreement between United and Starlink, a division of SpaceX, remain undisclosed. United, with a market capitalization of $16.7 billion, plans to commence testing the Starlink service early next year. The first passenger flights equipped with the service are expected to take to the skies later in 2025.
The airline has assured that Starlinks internet service will be more reliable than ever before, particularly over oceans and areas with traditionally poor connectivity. As passengers become increasingly dependent on digital devices, a reliable internet service has become almost indispensable for airlines.
This partnership is not Starlinks first venture into in-flight internet service. The company has previously collaborated with Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways. However, United will be its largest partner to date, providing a test for the satellite provider's capacity to operate on a large scale.
Uniteds chief customer officer, Linda Jojo, expressed confidence in Starlink's ability to handle high demand. We know we can have multiple devices per passenger and this is going to work, she said. And its going to work in a game-changing way, like its your living room.
The internet equipment on United planes will be subject to approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. Starlink, which operates a constellation of more than 6,300 satellites launched since 2019, will provide the worlds most advanced high-speed internet aboard United flights, according to SpaceX President and COO Gwynee Shotwell.
Starlink has proven to be a profitable venture for SpaceX, generating $1.4 billion in revenue in 2022. This partnership with United Airlines is a testament to the company's growing influence in the aviation industry, and a promising sign of the future of in-flight connectivity.
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