United Airlines’ plans to equip its entire regional fleet with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service have hit a temporary snag. The airline began offering Starlink Wi-Fi through a free-with-ads model earlier in May, joining a small group of carriers that include Hawaiian Airlines and JSX in delivering this high-speed broadband experience. The new service was initially met with praise for its performance and reliability, with United pledging to retrofit all its two-cabin regional jets with Starlink by the end of 2025.
Starlink Service Paused on E175 Jets Due to Antenna Interference, Fix Underway
Despite the promising start, United has been forced to disable Starlink service on nearly two dozen Embraer E175 regional jets. The disruption stems from static interference between the aircraft’s existing radio antennas—used by pilots for communication with air traffic control—and Starlink’s own antennas. This technical issue was first reported by aviation news outlet The Points Guy, and while it does not pose a safety risk, it has necessitated a pause in the rollout.
Starlink Rollout Hits Snag on United Jets as Antenna Fixes BeginUnited confirmed the interference issue, noting that such problems are not uncommon when introducing new in-flight Wi-Fi systems. A company spokesperson emphasized that flight safety remains uncompromised and reassured customers that the service would resume soon on the affected aircraft. United is addressing the problem by implementing a fix, though it has opted to do so during the jets’ regularly scheduled maintenance to avoid flight cancellations or delays.
Fixes Underway with New Spotify Entertainment Enhancements to Offset Connectivity Disruptions
Approximately one-third of the impacted E175 jets have already received the required fix to mitigate the interference. United’s maintenance strategy ensures minimal operational disruption, as the airline continues servicing the remainder of the fleet incrementally. The decision reflects United’s commitment to maintaining flight schedules while resolving the connectivity issue behind the scenes.
In light of the Starlink disruption, United has introduced alternative entertainment enhancements for its passengers. The airline recently announced a partnership with Spotify, bringing curated playlists to over 680 aircraft’s on-demand entertainment systems. This integration replaces the previous “Audio” section and offers a new way for travelers to enjoy music mid-flight, helping to soften the absence of high-speed internet on some regional routes.
