Surf the net in the air: United rolls out free Starlink service on Guam flights
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
United Airlines has deployed Elon Musk’s high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi on two of its Guam-based Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, allowing passengers to stay connected and navigate online for free.
“We've called Starlink a game-changer for our customers because it fundamentally changes what you can do while you're in the air,” said David Kinselman, United’s senior vice president for airport operations. “Guam is right at the front of this transition.”
United's Max 8 aircraft on Guam are the first to get Musk's satellite system across the global fleet, he said.
The Starlink-enabled aircraft can be routed anywhere on United’s short-haul Asia-Pacific network, according to United Corporate Communications.
“Our goal is simple: We want the internet on a United aircraft to feel much more like the internet you have at home. And in some cases, even better,” Kinselman said.
United expects 50 percent of its mainline fleet to be equipped with Starlink by year-end, and 100 percent by the end of 2027.
Kinselman said the Guam hub will be prioritized for full Starlink deployment.
"We're expediting Guam to have these aircraft done by the end of this year," he said. “Guam's an incredibly important part of United's global network, the largest global network in the world."
United has completed replacing its Guam fleet with 10 newer Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft ahead of the planned end-of-year transition schedule.
"Our MAX 8s already provide a significant modern on-board experience with seatback entertainment at every seat, large overhead bins at every seat, more extra legroom seating, USB charging and Bluetooth connectivity," Kinselman said.
The new aircraft was configured specifically to meet the region's needs, including convertible front rows in the economy section to accommodate patients requiring medevac transport.
“For me this brings together two of the biggest investments we're making for our customers,” Kinselman said.
United Airlines—formerly known as Continental Micronesia before the 2010 merger—has been serving Guam and Micronesia for nearly 60 years, with flights to Hawaii, Asia and the U.S. mainland.
“When you have a relationship that stretches that far back, you have a responsibility to keep investing in it. And that's exactly what we've been doing,” Kinselman said.
He noted that the Starlink service is particularly imperative for Guam and across Micronesia, given their locations that are challenging for commercial aviation.
“Starlink uses satellites in low Earth orbit to provide high-speed connectivity over oceans and remote parts of the world,” he said. “Those are exactly the environments in which our Guam-based aircraft operate each and every day.”
The free Starlink service is available to MileagePlus members, a frequent-flyer program accessible to all passenger classes.
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For pilots and airline crew, Kinselman said Starlink provides a powerful tool for operating flights and communicating with operations and dispatch teams.
“When you're flying between remote islands across the Pacific, the ability to communicate quickly and access timely information can be especially useful,” Kinselman said.
“With internet connectivity on board, our crews can have access to web-based information and resources that weren't available or were at least much more difficult to access while the aircraft was in flight,” he added.
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The high-speed WiFi service allows the crew to access real-time weather information, forecasts and turbulence reports from other aircraft and facilities.
“There are also situations where having another reliable means of communication can be important,” Kinselman said. “If there's a medical emergency, for example, on board, Connectivity can provide our crews with another way to communicate the appropriate company or medical resources and access information within, or medical resources and access information where they need it.”
While Starlink doesn't replace United’s existing systems or procedures, Kinselman said the new service provides another highly capable communications tool.
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