United set for May 15 Starlink debut on some planes. We tried it out — and, wow: It's fast.
The date is set: United Airlines’ first planes sporting its free Starlink-powered Wi-Fi will hit the skies on May 15, the carrier announced Thursday.
I had a chance to try it out, and can already attest — It's every bit as fast as advertised.
Next week, travelers on a few relatively ordinary regional flights will be the first to experience the new internet connectivity.
Up first: United Express service next Thursday from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Detroit Wayne County Metropolitan Airport (DTW), TPG confirmed.
Later that day, Starlink-connected regional jets will pay visits to Nashville and Charlottesville, Virginia, on routes to and from O’Hare.
And then, those jets equipped with the new tech will make their way to other cities in the following days and weeks.
This much-anticipated debut will come roughly eight months after United first announced it would add the high-speed, satellite-powered connectivity to its fleet.
The fast internet service will be free for flyers who have a MileagePlus loyalty number to their name, and travelers on board those connected jets will be allowed to connect as many of their devices as they’d like.
“This internet is fast. It’s going to feel like nothing you’ve ever experienced in the skies before,” Grant Milstead, United vice president of digital technology, said Thursday. “It’s faster than the internet at my house.”
What to expect with United's new Starlink service
I was among a small handful of media invited to try out the new Starlink service Thursday on a flight that departed (and then returned to) O’Hare, operated by United’s regional partner SkyWest.
Preflight
Customers will know they’re on a Starlink-connected plane once they get an email the day before departure, like the one I received about 24 hours before my flight.
They also won’t be able to miss the decal next to the boarding door on planes outfitted with the new service, like this Embraer 175.
Connecting
Once on board, connecting was easy. I started by whipping out my phone and selecting the Unitedwifi.com network, which took me to a landing page.
Once I clicked “get started,” the system jumped me right to the United mobile app already installed on my phone, instantly verifying that I’m a MileagePlus member. I clicked “connect,” watched a short advertisement, and then I was in business.
Logging on my other devices was easier: A QR code on my iPad (and then my laptop) popped up. I scanned it with my phone, and then those devices were online, too.
“We want you to start the experience as soon as you sit down, and the experience will end at your destination when you’re ready to stand up. No waiting for that ding at 10,000 feet,” Milstead explained at a preflight briefing.
How fast is it?
United certainly isn’t exaggerating on the speed of the service: I was able to simultaneously watch a live news feed about the selection of a new Pope on one device, and stream a live Major League Baseball game on another.
I ran a speed test, and it clocked the Wi-Fi at 217 Mbps of download speed, and 26.8 Mbps of upload speed.
On this special media flight, I was even able to successfully join a Zoom meeting with a colleague and, for good measure, FaceTimed in TPG’s Clint Henderson from 30,000 feet.
To be clear: that won’t be allowed on real-life United flights.
As part of the Starlink log-in process, United reminds customers about a few rules, which include no phone or video calls.
“We’re going to expect our customers to use headphones when they’re listening to content,” Milstead added. “And we’re going to ask them to look at appropriate content.”
Ambitious rollout planned
As TPG’s Zach Griff saw firsthand earlier this year, United can retrofit its planes with the new internet service quickly. Once they ramp up, United officials told me, they can add it with overnight maintenance.
Starlink is starting with the regional fleet of United Express jets, and the airline expects all of its two-cabin regional planes to have the free Wi-Fi by the end of this year.
At least one larger, mainline United plane will get the service before 2025 is over, executives said Thursday.
A growing industry trend
United followed in the footsteps of rival Delta Air Lines in announcing fast, free Wi-Fi for its entire fleet — though the Chicago-based carrier believes its Starlink service will be superior in the eyes of customers.
And, it helped solidify an industry trend toward free connectivity that no doubt helped fuel American Airlines’ recent decision to shift its Wi-Fi service to complimentary by next year.
“There’s a lot of free, there’s a lot of fast out in the aviation industry," MileagePlus CEO Richard Nunn said of United’s service Thursday. “But this is a different level.”
Related reading:
- 6 things you need to know about United Airlines MileagePlus
- The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
- What is United Airlines elite status worth?
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- How to survive basic economy on United Airlines
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.