Airlines are finally scrapping the cost of in-flight internet services. Earlier this summer, Turkish Airlines announced that it will bring free and unlimited Wi-Fi to all its aircrafts and for all its passengers by the end of 2025. Just a few weeks later, in August, Delta also said that it would provide all travelers with fast, free Wi-Fi on most of its international routes by the end of next year. Now it’s the turn of United Airlines to make a similar announcement.
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United Will Soon Have Free, High-Speed Internet on All Planes
In a press release published today, United Airlines explains that it is partnering with Starlink to bring fast, reliable Wi-Fi service to all the planes in its fleet (there are over 1,000 of them).
Currently, hooking up to Wi-Fi on a United domestic or short-haul international flight costs $8, or 800 miles, for MileagePlus members and $10 for everyone else. For other United flights the price varies according to the destination and the duration of the flight.
The Starlink service on United flights will allow passengers to enjoy the same quality Wi-Fi in the air as they would be on the ground.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do onboard a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” said United CEO Scott Kirby.
With this new and free service, passengers will be able to connect to the internet both on their personal devices and on their seatback screen at the same time to access streaming services, live TV, play games, shop, and work.
While there is no set date for when the entire United fleet will be equipped with Starlink services, testing will start in early 2025.
It’s not the only good piece of news that United Airlines has produced this year. Earlier in 2024, the airline made an update to its app that allows travelers to get moved to a better seat, even if it isn’t available upon booking. 