Airlines Are Counting on a Starlink Tailwind

Photo Credit: A United Airlines Airbus A320. Wikimedia Commons / JacobAviation Starlink is proving to be a major marketing tool for U.S. airlines. During United Airlines’ most recent earnings call, the technology was mentioned 24 times. CEO Scott Kirby devoted much of his prepared remarks during the call to Starlink, describing the technology as a “truly differentiating RASM tailwind in 2027,” referring to the industry performance metric of revenue per available seat mile. “We know that eventually high-speed, low earth orbit Wi-Fi will be industry standard for everyone,” Kirby said. But for 2027 and really 2028, we are well on our way to being the only global U.S. airline with Starlink at scale. So a lot of new customers are going to try us.” United currently has around 44% of its fleet equipped with Starlink and is aiming to finish installations by the end of 2027. Kirby said Starlink, along with other investments in technology, would be key for United’s profitability as it deals with soaring jet fuel c