Better In-Flight Wi-Fi Is Coming. United Installs Starlink on Its First Plane

If your work travel frequently involves short regional hops, get ready for Wi-Fi service that's better than what folks soaring in larger planes are using. After announcing a deal with SpaceX late last year, United Airlines has begun installing Starlink satellite Wi-Fi hardware in its fleet of aircraft. The switchover is expected to bring wireless internet speeds of up to 250Mbps, which is comparable to some terrestrial internet services and 50 times faster than what's offered in current regional aircraft. In addition to broader bandwidth, the equipment being put into planes weighs less and is easier to install than other aircraft Wi-Fi systems. Wi-Fi access will also be free for United MileagePlus customers. Less weight, more bandwidth United started assembling its Wi-Fi future with new Starlink hardware this week in a maintenance hanger adjacent to the Nashville International Airport. Technicians installed the first Starlink equipment onto an Embraer E175, a workhorse aircraft tha ... Read full article.