United gets FAA clearance for the first Starlink-equipped planes.

Washington (Reuters) – United Airlines said on Monday that the Federal Aviation Administration has cleared the first Starlink-equipped aircraft type, with the maiden commercial flight scheduled for May.

The FAA has awarded a Supplemental Type Certificate for the Embraer 175, and the airline anticipates the first commercial flight to be on a United Express Embraer 175.

The Chicago-based airline intends to install high-speed Wi-Fi equipment on around 40 regional jets every month, with all 300 planes expected to be completed by the end of this year. United stated it will collaborate with Elon Musk’s Starlink to get FAA clearance to deploy Starlink on over 16 United aircraft variants.

The FAA did not immediately reply to calls for comment.
Starlink Wi-Fi service will soon be offered on all flights, the airline said earlier this year, and it will be free for MileagePlus members.

Last year, United announced an agreement with Starlink to deliver in-flight internet services to its entire fleet of over 1,000 aircraft over the next few years.

Starlink, a SpaceX subsidiary, has signed agreements with several airlines to deliver in-flight internet services as it attempts to broaden its reach beyond customers and homes in rural areas across the world with limited to no internet connectivity.

The satellite-based internet service provider has already secured agreements with Hawaiian Airlines and smaller carrier JSX.

In Canada, which is mired in a trade conflict with the United States, WestJet Airlines has received social media complaints from some customers over a partnership signed this summer to give Wi-Fi service onboard via Musk’s Starlink.

Musk has taken criticism for his involvement as an adviser to President Donald Trump in supervising huge layoffs and firings as part of efforts to reduce federal expenditure.