How passengers can access Elon Musk’s game-changing new Wi-Fi feature as more airlines join

Elon Musk is giving back to the world, and while the world's richest man still faces Tesla boycotts and calls for him to be fired from the electric vehicle company, things are going slightly better at SpaceX.

As Elon Musk claims he'll soon be stepping back from politics to focus on his other ventures, Tesla and SpaceX could be back on track - not that the latter needs much help.

When not rescuing stranded astronauts from the International Space Station or trying to come up with plans to colonize Mars, SpaceX is busy trying to bring text, call, and Wi-Fi signal to all corners of the world.

The satellite internet constellation first launched in 2019, and with plans to potentially extend to 34,400 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), it continues to evolve with the likes of Starshield, which has been designed for use by the American government as a form of defense.

What is Starlink?

One of Starlink's newer innovations is its Direct to Cell capabilities, which means users no longer require specialized equipment to make satellite calls.

Eliminating supposed dead zones through the use of satellites equipped with an eNodeB modem, they effectively become cellphone towers in space.

Numerous smartphones are already compatible with Direct to Cell, although it comes at an extra cost every month.

Not just helping phone users, Starlink is helping beam Wi-Fi signals to places you might not typically expect to get them.

In the aftermath of American Airlines finally offering free Wi-Fi as of January 2026, United Airlines is jumping on the Starlink bandwagon and will now offer the game-changing addition to your flights.

The media were invited to try out United's Starlink Wi-Fi, with Sean Cudahy from The Points Guy saying it was 'easy' to connect and boasted a 217 Mbps download speed with a 26.8 Mbps upload speed.

By the end of 2025, United Airlines plans on rolling out Starlink to its entire two-cabin regional fleet (smaller planes with first and economy class).

Those frequent flyers who are part of United's MileagePlus loyalty program will get Starlink access for free.

This is still an improvement on the current $8 for internet access on domestic and short-haul international flights, with non-members having to pay $10.

Which airlines have signed up for Starlink?

United Airlines' embracing free Starlink access is a big win for passengers, while rival airlines, including Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways, already offer complimentary Wi-Fi through services like ViaSat and Gogo.

In terms of Starlink taking off, United Airlines joins a growing list of those who are seeing its potential. As reported by Business Insider, semi-private air carrier JSX was the first company to sign a Starlink deal back in 2022. This has since expanded to its entire fleet of Embraer jets. Hawaiian Airlines has merged with Alaska Airlines and retrofitted its Airbus A330 and A321neo planes with free Starlink access alongside plans for its Boeing 787s. Alaska Airlines has also taken on Hawaiian's Starlink-equipped jets. AirBaltic, Air France, Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, and Japan's Zipair have all picked Starlink for their fleets, meaning United is in good company.