United Airlines suspends Starlink Wi-Fi on Embraer E175 jets due to interference concerns
United Airlines has temporarily disabled the Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi system on its Embraer E175 regional jets, following reports of static interference affecting cockpit communications.
These aircraft were the first in the airline’s fleet—and the world—to be outfitted with SpaceX’s satellite internet system, recently approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The interference was detected shortly after Starlink went live on the E175 fleet, prompting United to pause the service while it investigates the root cause in partnership with SpaceX. The airline emphasized that the issue does not pose a safety risk and expects to restore connectivity during scheduled maintenance.
The Embraer E175 jets are operated by regional affiliates such as SkyWest and serve short-haul routes within the United States. United plans to expand Starlink service across more aircraft throughout 2025, as part of its goal to offer gate-to-gate free Wi-Fi on over 1,000 planes.
Starlink, powered by a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, promises faster and more reliable onboard internet than legacy Ku- or Ka-band systems. However, this temporary setback highlights the technical complexities of integrating new technologies into commercial aviation.
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