United Airlines temporarily suspends Starlink Wi-Fi on part of its regional fleet due to radio interference
United Airlines halts Starlink satellite internet service on its Embraer E175 jets after static interference is detected in cockpit radio communications.
United Airlines has temporarily suspended Starlink Wi-Fi service on a portion of its regional Embraer E175 fleet following reports from flight crews of static interference affecting cockpit radio communications.
The airline, which began offering SpaceX’s Starlink connectivity in May 2024, clarified that the issue does not compromise flight safety. However, as a precautionary measure, the system has been deactivated on around two dozen aircraft while engineers from both United and Starlink work to resolve the issue.
Shortly after the service rollout, United flight crews began noticing static on VHF radio channels, particularly after completing transmissions with air traffic control. This points to a possible Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) issue—defined as the ability of electrical systems to function properly without causing or experiencing interference from other nearby systems.
Installing new systems on aircraft, such as Starlink antennas, requires a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Embraer E175 received its STC for Starlink installation in April 2025, but real-world operational interference highlights the complexity of such modifications.
A United spokesperson confirmed that “United and Starlink teams are working together to address a small number of reports of static interference,” adding that such occurrences are not uncommon when integrating new Wi-Fi technology.
In summary
• What is electromagnetic interference (EMI) in aviation? It’s a disturbance affecting an electronic circuit due to external sources—in this case, likely between the Starlink antenna and VHF radio systems. Managing this interference is the field of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC).
• Does the suspension of Starlink impact flight safety? No. United emphasized that the detected interference is a communication inconvenience, not a safety hazard. The suspension is a preventive measure.
• When will Starlink Wi-Fi be restored on affected aircraft? United expects full restoration in the coming weeks. Fixes are being implemented during routine maintenance checks to avoid disrupting flight schedules.
Next steps
United and Starlink have already identified a solution and have begun implementing it across affected aircraft. About one-third of the impacted fleet has already received the update and Wi-Fi service has been restored.
To minimize disruption, United is applying fixes during scheduled maintenance visits, rather than grounding aircraft. The entire fleet is expected to regain Starlink connectivity within weeks.
Other Starlink-equipped carriers, such as Qatar Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, and Latvia’s airBaltic, have not reported similar issues, suggesting the interference may be specific to the Embraer E175 configuration or United’s installation practices.
This incident serves as a case study for the industry, emphasizing the importance of thorough EMC testing when modernizing aircraft with LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite-based connectivity systems like Starlink. While high-speed, low-latency internet is a major passenger draw, the industry’s top priority remains the safety and integrity of aircraft systems.
AUTOR
Desde 2017, haciendo periodismo aeronáutico. Award-Winning Journalist: Ganador de la edición 2023 de "Periodismo de Altura", otorgado por ALTA. Facts don't care about your feelings.
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