United Airlines is marking a major technological milestone in 2026, celebrating the rapid rollout of Starlink high‑speed Wi‑Fi across its fleet with a new Big Game commercial that spotlights what’s now possible at 30,000 feet. In less than a year, the airline has equipped more than 300 two‑cabin regional aircraft with Starlink—transforming the onboard experience for millions of travellers.
A New Era of In-Flight Connectivity
United’s partnership with Starlink has reshaped expectations for inflight Wi‑Fi. Over the past 10 months:
• 7 million passengers have flown on Starlink‑equipped aircraft
• 129,000+ flights have offered the upgraded service
• 3.7 million devices have connected in the air
• Wi‑Fi satisfaction scores have nearly doubled
Today, more than 25% of United’s daily departures—around 1,200 flights—feature Starlink Wi‑Fi. And the momentum is only growing.
United expects to install Starlink on 500+ mainline aircraft by the end of 2026, bringing the total number of Starlink‑equipped planes to over 800.
United Takes Starlink to the Big Game
To celebrate this milestone, United is debuting a new commercial during the Big Game on February 8. The ad leans into space‑travel inspiration, showing passengers streaming live sports, gaming online, checking home security cameras, and enjoying seamless connectivity—activities that were once nearly impossible with traditional inflight Wi‑Fi.
The voiceover, styled like a conversation between ground control and the cockpit, delivers the punchline:
“It’s Wi‑Fi that actually works? That’s one giant leap for in-flight Wi‑Fi.”
The ad will air in key markets where Starlink‑equipped regional aircraft operate, including:
• Cincinnati
• Cleveland
• Colorado Springs
• Denver
• Houston
• Indianapolis
• Kansas City
In several of these cities, more than half of United’s flights already offer Starlink connectivity.
Why Travelers Are Loving Starlink Wi‑Fi
United’s VP of Digital Technology, Grant Milstead, highlights the unprecedented pace of the rollout and the overwhelmingly positive customer response. Travellers consistently praise:
• Gate‑to‑gate connectivity
• Reliable, high‑speed performance
• Streaming capability
• Smooth browsing and productivity tools
Starlink’s performance is backed by independent Ookla Speed test Intelligence data, which identifies it as the fastest in-flight Wi‑Fi available.
What’s Next: A Fleetwide Transformation
United plans to accelerate installations across its mainline fleet throughout 2026. Working with Starlink, the airline will seek FAA approval for installation on more than a dozen aircraft types, including:
• Boeing 737‑900ER
• Airbus A321 family
• Boeing 777 series
This expansion is part of United’s long‑term commitment to delivering a seamless, modern, and connected travel experience for every passenger.
A Giant Leap for Travelers Everywhere
With more than 300 regional aircraft already upgraded and hundreds more on the way, United is redefining what inflight Wi‑Fi can be. The Big Game ad is more than a celebration—it’s a signal that the future of connected travel has officially arrived.
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