United Airlines plans to use Elon Musk’s SpaceX’s Starlink to offer free in-flight Wi-Fi on hundreds of its jetliners, the company said Friday, marking the satellite service provider’s largest in-flight internet deal yet.

Currently, airlines have been investing in offering faster in-flight Wi-Fi, sometimes even for free, to attract high-income customers such as business travelers.

Delta Airways and Hawaiian Airlines announced in early 2023 that in-flight internet would be free to members of their SkyMiles loyalty program. JetBlue Airways, which has a deal with Starlink, also offers free in-flight Wi-Fi. It has been offering free Wi-Fi for years.

SpaceX also previously reached a deal with semi-private airline JSX.

Currently, United offers in-flight internet from a number of providers, including ViaSat as well as Panasonic, and charges loyalty program members $8 and everyone else $10 on domestic and short-haul international flights.

The airline said it expects more than 1,000 of its aircraft to be equipped with Starlink in the “next few years,” with the first passenger flights equipped with the service beginning early next year. United said Wi-Fi will provide “board-to-board” connectivity.

United praised SpaceX’s satellite service, saying it provides “global internet access, including oceans, polar regions and other remote areas previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals,” a selling point for the U.S. airline with the most service in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Since its debut in 2020, SpaceX has been steadily expanding its Starlink network and product offerings. According to the company, there are currently about 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, connecting more than 3 million customers in 100 countries. SpaceX initially targeted consumer customers but has expanded into other markets, including aviation.

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