United Airlines will begin testing Elon Musk's Starlink internet service in Februaryin-flight.
The airline plans to equip its entire fleet with the technology by the end of 2025 and put its first Starlink-enabled aircraft in the air on major routes.
However, United said access will be free only for MileagePlus members, reversing its earlier plan to offer free Wi-Fi to all passengers.
Last year, United signed a deal with Starlink to provide in-flight internet service across its entire fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft over the next few years.
Starlink, a division of SpaceX, has struck deals with multiple airlines to provide in-flight Internet service as it seeks to expand its reach beyond consumers and households in rural areas of the world with little or no Internet access.
The satellite Internet service provider already has contracts with Hawaiian Airlines and regional carrier JSX. | BGNES
