CHICAGO- United Airlines (UA) has temporarily paused Starlink Wi-Fi on its regional Embraer E175 jets due to radio interference issues. The decision affects flights departing from major hubs like Chicago O’Hare (ORD), where many of these aircraft are based.
The airline has confirmed that nearly two dozen aircraft equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink technology are now flying without internet, citing concerns related to communication system disruptions.
United Airlines Pauses Starlink Wi-Fi
United Airlines (UA), in partnership with Starlink, has outfitted 20+ Embraer E175 regional jets with satellite-based high-speed Wi-Fi.
However, shortly after the rollout, the carrier identified a technical problem involving static interference affecting VHF radios, a system pilots rely on to communicate with air traffic control.
As exclusively reported by TPG, pilots experienced static immediately following their radio transmissions on aircraft fitted with the new Starlink antennas.
Although the airline has stated there is no risk to flight safety, it acted out of caution by disabling the Wi-Fi systems fleet-wide while a fix is applied.
This issue is not unprecedented. United previously encountered similar interference while integrating Viasat on its mainline aircraft, a complication that was swiftly resolved.
Similarly, United and Starlink have now pinpointed the source of the interference and developed a solution currently being implemented across affected aircraft.
About one-third of the impacted E175 jets have already received the fix and resumed Wi-Fi service.
United plans to complete the rollout during scheduled maintenance rotations to avoid service disruptions or flight cancellations.
This approach allows for seamless reactivation without affecting travelers’ itineraries.
While this temporary outage will impact summer flyers hoping to use Starlink, the airline emphasizes that the overall timeline for fleet-wide integration remains unchanged.
Expansion Strategy
Despite this hiccup, United is continuing with its plan to install Starlink across its dual-class regional fleet.
This includes an additional 40 Embraer E175 aircraft this month, followed by installations on the Bombardier CRJ-550 jets in the coming weeks.
The goal is to complete retrofitting the full United Express regional fleet by year’s end.
Originally announced in 2023, United’s Starlink partnership aims to deliver free, high-speed Wi-Fi to all passengers, requiring only a MileagePlus account to connect across multiple devices.
This effort aligns with the airline’s broader initiative to modernize its onboard experience and bring consistent connectivity across all domestic routes.
Future Outlook
The temporary Wi-Fi outage affects passengers on hundreds of flights, particularly summertime travelers expecting Starlink’s high-speed service at airports like Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Denver (DEN).
While frustrating, the issue is a minor setback in United Airlines’ (UA) long-term plan to upgrade its in-flight connectivity.
The airline’s existing Wi-Fi systems, often criticized for slow speeds, are set to be replaced by Starlink’s superior satellite technology.
United Airlines began revenue flights with Starlink in mid-May, just nine months after announcing the partnership.
With a proactive fix in progress and a clear rollout schedule, United Airlines is poised to deliver reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi across its regional and mainline fleets, enhancing the passenger experience.
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