United bringing Starlink WiFi to long-haul flights from Australia

Anyone flying from Australia to the United States in the coming years could find the inflight experience looking very different, with United Airlines rolling out high-speed Starlink satellite internet across its fleet.

United already operates multiple daily services from Australia’s east coast to the US, and with hundreds of new aircraft on the way, the airline is positioning connectivity as a major part of the long-haul travel experience.

The big upgrade is Starlink WiFi, the same satellite technology many Australians already rely on at home in regional areas. The promise is simple: fast, free internet in the air that feels much closer to the experience you get on the ground.

United’s President of Digital Technology Grant Milstead says the goal was to rethink what inflight connectivity could actually deliver.

“When we chose Starlink as a partner, we wanted to reimagine what connectivity meant onboard. WiFi has always been seen as something that could never match the experience on the ground, but fast and free internet combined with connected seatback screens creates a completely different experience for customers.”

Starlink is already available on United’s smaller aircraft operating domestic routes in the US, but the focus now shifts to wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners that operate long-haul routes like Australia to the US.

Milstead says those long flights are exactly where strong connectivity matters most.

“Flights like those from Australia are some of the ones we are most excited about. Having reliable connectivity on a long journey means you can stay in touch with everything at home while you travel.”

United expects the upgraded aircraft to begin appearing on routes to and from Australia from late this year, with broader rollout expected by early 2027.

The move puts pressure on competitors, with Qantas yet to consistently offer WiFi across its US services.

Streaming, browsing and working in the air

During a media demonstration flight in California, the Starlink service allowed multiple devices to connect simultaneously, with enough speed to stream live sport, watch YouTube and browse normally.

Passengers will need to sign up for United’s free MileagePlus frequent flyer program to access the service, and short advertisements may appear before connecting.

Importantly, voice and video calls are not supported, which should help keep cabins quieter. But, we did test it – just because we can.

Entertainment upgrades across the cabin

Connectivity is only part of the upgrade. United is also improving the seatback entertainment experience across all cabins.

Economy passengers will see new screens featuring content from streaming platforms including Apple TV and HBO Max, along with Spotify integration that allows travellers to log in and listen to their own playlists.

Bluetooth audio support is also included, meaning passengers can pair their own headphones instead of relying on airline-provided options.

The airline is also introducing a new premium option at the front of the aircraft, with Polaris Studio seats offering additional space and comfort for business class travellers.

Across the aircraft, seats in Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class have all been redesigned with improved comfort in mind.

The flight from Australia to the US is often more than 13 hours, so better seats, better entertainment and fast internet could make the journey significantly more enjoyable.

Trevor Long travelled to Los Angeles as a guest of United Airlines