US EditionUnited’s Starlink-powered Wi-Fi is the end of airplane mode
- United Airlines will begin offering Starlink-powered high-speed Wi-Fi on its flights starting May 15, 2025, with a Chicago-Detroit route.
- This rollout follows regulatory restrictions that mandated disabling cellular radios during flights and builds on advances in satellite internet technology from SpaceX's Starlink Aviation.
- Starlink uses a constellation of over 7,000 low Earth orbit satellites, which provide faster connections and lower latency than traditional geostationary satellites, enabling reliable streaming and video calls at cruising altitude.
- David Kinzelman of United explained that the airline is delivering Wi-Fi connectivity comparable to what passengers experience at home, enabling seamless streaming, gaming, shopping, and working with real-time performance and latency below 100 milliseconds.
- This partnership suggests the era of airplane mode is ending as satellite Wi-Fi becomes standard, although concerns about space debris and outdated regulations remain unresolved.
15 Articles
15 Articles
That says fast and free Wi-Fi in planes said online games, streaming and texting, but also targeted ads and 0 tranquility.
United’s Starlink-powered Wi-Fi is the end of airplane mode
Say goodbye to one of the last work-free zones. Last Thursday, I boarded one of the first United Airlines planes to be equipped with Starlink's satellite Wi-Fi. As expected, the Wi-Fi was very fast and left me wondering whether this will herald the end of spotty in-flight Wi-Fi, expensive connectivity fees, or even the quaint notion that we can avoid work altogether while cruising at 30,000 feet in the air. The test plane was an Embraer E-175, a…
For years, the injunction to pass your phone in aircraft mode before take-off has been a ritual rather than a real technical precaution. In the comments gathered on this subject, several perspectives emerge: scepticism about the efficiency or necessity of the aircraft mode, irony about the inconsistencies of the safety instructions, and technical reminders about the possible, albeit limited, impact of the GSM signals on the aircraft instruments.…
SLF Industries Unveils Next-Generation In-Flight Connectivity with Schnell LiFi Demo in To by Slf Industries Pte Ltd
SLF Industries Unveils Next-Generation In-Flight Connectivity with Schnell LiFi Demo in Tokyo, Singapore-based SLF Industries Pte Ltd, creator of Schnell LiFi, recently showcased its advanced light-based wireless technology to a major Japanese electronics firm. Held in January 2025, the demo highlighted Schnell LiFis secure, high-speed connectivity for aircraft cabins, outperforming traditional WiFi by using light instead of radio waves. The sy…
Tfue gets Fortnite win while flying 36,000 feet on a plane using Starlink
Who would have ever guessed that one of the most famous content creators in the world would be sharing the news that he got a Fortnite win at 36,000 feet in the air? Well, Tfue has defied all odds by utilizing Starlink to get the first (that we know of) win in a Fortnite match while flying on a plane. Tfue gets first Fortnite win while flying in a plane The popular streamer posted a photo earlier today (May 12, 2025) of the screen sitting in fro…
Installing Starlink in a Cirrus Aircraft: A Comprehensive Guide
High-speed internet connectivity has revolutionized how pilots access information and stay connected while flying. For Cirrus aircraft operators, Starlink satellite internet now offers an unprecedented opportunity to maintain reliable broadband connectivity during flight. This FLYING guide provides everything you need to know about installing and using Starlink Mini in your Cirrus aircraft, enabling you to access weather updates, file PIREPs, co…
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