Benzinga·2025-09-26 14:56Company Highlights - United Airlines has received FAA approval to operate its first Boeing 737-800 equipped with SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet, with the inaugural flight scheduled for October 15 from Newark Liberty International Airport [1] - The airline has already initiated Starlink service on its Embraer 175 fleet and plans to retrofit approximately 50 regional jets each month, extending the installation to mainline aircraft starting with the 737-800 [2] - Surveys indicate that nearly 90% of passengers on Starlink-enabled regional flights have praised the service for its streaming consistency and speed, with United offering the service at no extra charge to MileagePlus members [2] Industry Trends - United Airlines' initiative reflects a broader trend in the airline industry towards upgrading connectivity, with other companies like Archer Aviation also engaging in technological advancements such as flying taxis [4] - The Starlink hardware is noted to be lighter and easier to maintain than traditional systems, which helps reduce fuel consumption and improve reliability, particularly in adverse weather conditions [3] - United aims to achieve Starlink certification across more than 16 aircraft types to ensure comprehensive coverage of its mainline and regional fleets [3]