United Airlines says some Starlink-enabled aircraft will offer live streaming channels during the FIFA World Cup through July 20, as the airline expands high-speed in-flight connectivity and rolls out the technology to more planes this year.
For travelers stuck at 35,000 feet, the World Cup may soon follow them there. United Airlines has moved from simply offering faster Wi‑Fi to turning parts of the journey into a live TV experience.
This summer, some United flights will let passengers stream live entertainment through Starlink Wi‑Fi, in a collaboration with DirecTV. The live package includes a number of live TV channels and is set to continue through July 20, according to a United announcement this week.
United is pitching the change as more than a convenience upgrade. David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer, said in a statement: “This technology has the potential to transform how we think about the inflight experience for both our customers and our employees.”
Starlink is owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. United says Starlink is available for free to MileagePlus members, who will be notified on availability before the flight.
The airline isn’t starting from scratch. United already has 400 total aircraft with Starlink and expects to reach 1,000 by the end of the year. The rollout began earlier than this World Cup push: United first introduced the technology to its fleet in March 2025. The company’s promise of speed is rooted in the scale of the satellite network—Starlink relies on over 10. 000 active Starlink satellites orbiting Earth. which together form the largest satellite constellation in history.
United’s streaming offer lands on the same timeline as broader airline competition for in-flight connectivity. It’s not the only carrier adding Starlink.
Earlier this year, Lufthansa Group announced plans to start offering Wi‑Fi services in late 2026. It will equip all of Lufthansa’s commercial airlines—including carriers in Austria, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland—with the technology. Other major airlines that have adopted or plan to roll out Starlink include Air France. Air New Zealand. Air Seoul. Alaska Airlines. British Airways. Emirates. and Iberia.
The World Cup has also become a marketing moment for United beyond the aircraft.
Inspired by Scotland’s Tartan Army—after Scottish fans found a wholesome connection with locals during their home team’s stint in Boston—United launched a reactive advertising campaign amid the viral phenomenon. A billboard in Boston with United’s emblematic blue read: “Go visit your new Scottish friends with flights to Edinburgh and Glasgow. ” alongside the airline’s pitch for travel tied to the tournament.
For now, the key detail for passengers is timing: United’s live streaming access with Starlink-enabled aircraft is scheduled to run through July 20, and the airline says as many as 150 Starlink-enabled aircraft will be included during that window.
United Airlines Starlink SpaceX DirecTV World Cup FIFA in-flight Wi-Fi MileagePlus aviation technology satellite internet Lufthansa DirecTV collaboration streaming on airplanes
So basically Starlink turns airplanes into bars? cool i guess.
DirecTV on a plane sounds nice until it buffers and then they’ll charge you anyway. Also why is it “free” for MileagePlus members like they don’t already make you pay to exist.
Not gonna lie I thought Starlink was just for internet, not like full on live TV. But if it’s coming through satellites then that’s wild, though I’m pretty sure the plane’s Wi-Fi is still gonna be capped or something. World Cup while stuck at 35,000 feet is kinda awesome, unless they remove it right after July 20 like usual.
Elon Musk again, of course. I don’t trust anything on planes that relies on satellites owned by one guy. Also they said 10,000 satellites like that’s normal? Next thing you know they’ll beam the scores directly into your brain or whatever. I just want my seat to recline more, not TV.