United Airlines now offers Starlink satellite internet on more than half of its daily flights, marking a major milestone in a fleetwide installation program scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. However, the rollout remains heavily concentrated on regional and single-aisle aircraft, with the airline's long-haul fleet largely untouched.
United announced the milestone on November 12, confirming that Starlink is available on more than 50% of its daily flights. The carrier expects that figure to reach nearly 64% by the end of 2026, before completing installations across its fleet the following year.
The airline's official Starlink tracker provides a more detailed picture of the rollout. As of its November 9 update, 689 aircraft had received the equipment, representing approximately 45% of the fleet covered by the program. Those aircraft were responsible for an estimated 54% of daily flights.
The difference between the two percentages reflects how frequently different aircraft operate. Regional jets and narrowbody aircraft generally fly more sectors per day than widebody jets, allowing United to cover a larger proportion of flights before completing installations on most of its aircraft.
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The regional rollout is already complete. All 100 Bombardier CRJ-550s and 252 Embraer E175s listed in the tracker have Starlink installed, accounting for 352 aircraft.
Among larger single-aisle jets, the Boeing 737 fleet has reached 62% completion, compared with 19% for the 737 MAX. The Airbus A321 family is further ahead, at 88%.
Starlink installation progress by aircraft type
United's tracker shows substantial differences between aircraft families, particularly between domestic and long-haul operations.
| Aircraft type | Starlink equipped | Fleet completion |
|---|---|---|
| CRJ-550 | 100 of 100 | 100% |
| Embraer E175 | 252 of 252 | 100% |
| Airbus A321 | 68 of 77 | 88% |
| Boeing 737 | 203 of 329 | 62% |
| Boeing 737 MAX | 59 of 313 | 19% |
| Boeing 777 | 5 of 96 | 5% |
| Boeing 787 | 2 of 100 | 2% |
Source: United Airlines Starlink tracker, updated November 9, 2026. Airbus A319/A320 and Boeing 757/767 fleets are listed as “Coming soon.”
The contrast is especially noticeable on United's intercontinental aircraft. Only five Boeing 777s and two Boeing 787s have received Starlink, out of a combined fleet of 196 aircraft listed in the tracker.
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The Boeing 767 fleet, comprising 53 aircraft, has not yet entered the installation phase according to the tracker. The same applies to United's 61 Boeing 757s, which are used on both domestic and transatlantic routes.
Consequently, passengers traveling on United's long-haul network are still much less likely to encounter Starlink than those flying on regional services or many domestic routes.
United targets completion by late 2027
United announced its partnership with SpaceX's Starlink in September 2024, making high-speed satellite connectivity a central element of its future inflight service.
The system uses a constellation of low-Earth-orbit satellites to provide internet connectivity, including over oceanic and remote regions where conventional air-to-ground networks are unavailable.
The airline has promoted Starlink as a way for passengers to stream video, participate in online activities and use multiple connected devices during flights. Access is complimentary for members of United's MileagePlus loyalty program.
United also allows customers to check Starlink availability on their scheduled flights through an online tracker up to three days before departure. The airline has introduced additional entertainment features, including live sports streaming and integration with personal Spotify accounts on compatible seatback screens.
The installation schedule remains ambitious. United expects nearly two-thirds of daily flights to have Starlink by the end of this year, with the remaining aircraft scheduled to receive the equipment by the end of 2027.
The latest fleet figures suggest that widebody installations will be an important part of the remaining work, particularly on the Boeing 777 and 787 fleets, which together account for almost 200 aircraft.
