(Reuters) – United Airlines said on Sunday it plans to begin testing Elon Musk’s Starlink in February for in-flight internet services, and offer connectivity for the first time on a commercial flight operated by Embraer jets E-175 in spring.

The airline plans to equip its entire regional two-cabin fleet with the service by the end of 2025 and to fly its first Starlink-equipped aircraft on major routes by the end of the year. ‘year.

Starlink will eventually be available on all of its flights, the airline said in a statement.

However, United clarified that access would only be free for MileagePlus members, revising an earlier plan to offer free Wi-Fi to all passengers.

Last year, United signed (link) an agreement with Starlink to provide in-flight internet services across its entire fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft over the next several years.

Starlink, a unit of SpaceX, has struck deals with several airlines to provide in-flight internet services, as it seeks to expand its reach beyond consumers and households in rural areas around the world that have little or no access to the internet.

The satellite internet service provider has already signed deals with Hawaiian Airlines and regional carrier JSX.

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