United Airlines has announced that it will offer its passengers free in-flight Wi-Fi. The service will be powered by Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet technology and is scheduled to launch next year.
United aims to install Starlink Wi-Fi on more than 1,000 aircraft.
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“Everything you can do on the ground, you will soon be able to do on board a United aircraft at 35,000 feet, virtually anywhere in the world,” United CEO Scott Kirby announced Friday.
According to the Washington Post, Wi-Fi currently costs $8 for United MileagePlus members and $10 for non-members.
“We are excited to partner with United Airlines to transform the flying experience,” said Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and chief operating officer, in a press release. “With Starlink on board your United flight, you'll have access to the world's most advanced high-speed internet from gate to gate and every mile in between.”
Delta Air Lines offers SkyMiles members free in-flight Wi-Fi on domestic flights, and smaller airlines like Hawaiian Airlines and JetBlue also offer free Wi-Fi.
According to the Airline Passenger Experience Association, about one in five passengers on airplanes in the United States uses in-flight Wi-Fi.