United CEO calls Starlink its biggest advantage, but a temporary one

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said SpaceX's Starlink is the carrier's biggest competitive advantage, though he expects it to be temporary as rivals catch up. Starlink is on roughly 43% of United's fleet, with plans to reach 61% by year-end, 87% by June 2027 and full coverage by the end of 2027.

• Starlink is installed on about 43% of United's fleet as of October 2026
• Coverage is set to reach 61% by year-end and 87% by June 2027
• LAX will become United's first fully Starlink-equipped hub in 2027
• Wi-Fi satisfaction on Starlink planes is nearly double that of other systems