SpaceX’s Starlink Rapidly Expanding In-Flight Wi-Fi Service with United Airlines Deal
SpaceX has made waves in the in-flight Wi-Fi market with a significant deal with United Airlines, nearly doubling its backlog of Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi orders. According to Nick Galano, SpaceX’s director of Starlink aviation sales and partnerships, the company now has about 2,500 aircraft under contract, showcasing the rapid growth of the satellite internet service.
The United Airlines deal marks Starlink’s largest in-flight connectivity agreement to date. The airline plans to outfit its more than 1,000 planes with Starlink and offer Wi-Fi to passengers for free, a move that will replace existing providers such as Viasat, Panasonic, Thales, and Gogo. SpaceX has also collaborated with other airlines like Hawaiian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Japan’s Zipair, and Latvia’s airBaltic, demonstrating the widespread adoption of Starlink in the aviation industry.
Since its launch in 2020, SpaceX has expanded its Starlink network to connect over 3 million customers in 100 countries with its constellation of over 6,400 satellites in orbit. Galano emphasized the significant capacity that Starlink offers, with over 300 terabits per second worth of capacity, far surpassing legacy systems. The company continues to launch new Starlink satellites at a rapid pace, further increasing its network capacity.
One of the key aspects that SpaceX is focusing on is reducing the installation time for new antennas on aircraft. By streamlining the retrofitting process, SpaceX aims to complete installations in under a day, a significant improvement compared to the current average of three days for other providers like Delta Air Lines. This efficiency is crucial for airlines that need to minimize the downtime of their aircraft while upgrading their in-flight connectivity systems.
The competition in the in-flight Wi-Fi market is heating up, with airlines like Delta and United vying for high-end customers by offering free Wi-Fi as an added perk. Delta reported a significant increase in loyalty program members after making its Wi-Fi free to customers, highlighting the potential benefits of such initiatives for airlines.
Overall, SpaceX’s partnership with United Airlines and its expanding presence in the in-flight Wi-Fi market represent a significant milestone for the company and the aviation industry as a whole. With its advanced technology and capacity, Starlink is set to reshape the in-flight connectivity experience for passengers worldwide, setting a new standard for reliable and high-speed internet access in the skies.
