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United Pins Revenue Hopes on Starlink Rollout as Fuel Costs Bite
United Airlines expects its Starlink in-flight connectivity rollout to become a revenue driver from 2027, with the carrier using premium Wi-Fi to win passengers while jet fuel costs climb.
The satellite internet service came up 24 times on United Airlines' most recent earnings call, where chief executive Scott Kirby spent much of his prepared remarks on the cabin connectivity project.
Kirby called the service a "truly differentiating RASM tailwind in 2027," referring to revenue per available seat mile, the industry metric airlines use to gauge how much each seat earns.
About 44% of United's fleet is already fitted with Starlink, and the airline aims to complete installations across the rest of its aircraft by the end of 2027. Kirby said that for 2027 and 2028 United is on course to be the only global U.S. carrier offering Starlink at scale, which he expects to draw new customers to the airline.
"We know that eventually high-speed, low earth orbit Wi-Fi will be industry standard for everyone," Kirby said, adding that United intends to hold an early lead before rivals catch up.
Kirby said Starlink, alongside other technology investments, would be central to United's profitability as the carrier absorbs soaring jet fuel costs. Airline executives more broadly are betting that onboard connectivity can open new revenue streams and attract travellers at a time when fuel expenses are pressuring margins.