United Installs Starlink on First Boeing 777 as 450 Mainline Jets Targeted by End-2026
Updated
Updated · paddleyourownkanoo.com · Jun 9
United Installs Starlink on First Boeing 777 as 450 Mainline Jets Targeted by End-2026
3 articles · Updated · paddleyourownkanoo.com · Jun 9
Summary
Rio de Janeiro engineers completed United’s first prototype Starlink installation on a widebody Boeing 777, extending the carrier’s rollout from regional and single-aisle aircraft to long-haul jets.
United is prioritizing the move because long international routes stand to benefit most from faster onboard internet, and CEO Scott Kirby said customers already like the service on domestic flights.
More than 1 aircraft a day is the 2026 retrofit pace United is planning, with about 450 mainline aircraft due by year-end and more than 1,000 United and United Express jets targeted by mid-2027.
Eight hours is the core installation time for Starlink—about 10 times faster than legacy Wi-Fi—though full retrofits still take days because older systems must be removed and aircraft tested.
U.S. rivals remain behind: American plans Starlink on about 500 single-aisle Airbuses from early 2027, while Delta and JetBlue chose Amazon Leo, which is not expected to be available until at least mid-2027.