<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians heading to the United States are set for a big change in the way we travel, with United Airlines launching an all-new in-flight experience on its next-generation aircraft, including personalised infotainment and high-speed satellite internet.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>With six or more flights per day from Australia's East Coast to the USA, United is one of the largest carriers of Aussies to the States each day. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And with hundreds of new aircraft on order for their fleet, including almost 50 new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners arriving before April 2028, there are some decent changes coming to the long-haul trans-Pacific routes.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-strikes-hit-iran-and-tehran-targets-israel-and-gulf-states-amid-mixed-signals-over-talks-to-end-war/af8aa1be-f144-4405-94f5-8c6b80e316eb"><strong><span>Missiles fly amid mixed signals over talks to end war</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Key to that change is an upgrade to every single aircraft in the United Fleet to include Starlink satellite internet.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This is the same satellite internet service being used by thousands of Australians in regional and rural areas to access fast internet where it wasn't previously possible.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When we chose Starlink as a partner for us, we wanted to re-envision what connectivity brought to the onboard experience," United's President of Digital Technology, Grant Milstead, tells 9News.com.au exclusively.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/technology/wifi-on-planes-aussies-heading-to-the-usa-set-for-highspeed-wifi-in-a-travel-revolution/2a44284a-c181-49bf-85f0-b3bed6c4b3e9" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Onboard Wi-Fi was always viewed as something that couldn't be as good as what you experienced on the ground.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And what we've been able to prove out is if you change that experience with fast, free Wi-Fi and you add in connected seatbacks, which United is the only major airline to have, you can really create a totally different customer experience. And our customers are loving it."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While Starlink has already been rolled out to United's smaller aircraft on regional routes, it's now being added to their "wide-body" aircraft, the very planes that are flying across the Pacific each day.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-march-25-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/a5597d7f-50d1-40b8-94fa-0cfd43b6e879"><strong><span>Jetstar slashes flights as Trump claims 'war is won'</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The long-haul flying, like coming out of Australia, is some of the things we're most excited about," Milstead says.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That connectivity for a long flight allows you to stay connected with everything you need to at home while you're on board. So we're really looking forward to that."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There's no date for the first services to or from Australia; however, Milstead told 9News those services would begin late this year and likely be fully connected by early 2027.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Starlink Wi-Fi is replacing already existing Wi-Fi services on United, while Australia's own Qantas is still yet to launch Wi-Fi services consistently on their US services.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>United will allow any passenger on board to use the Wi-Fi for free, meaning not just internet access but live streaming and almost entirely normal "ground-like" experience on board their planes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>I tested United's Starlink service yesterday as a guest on a media-only flight around California and was able to use multiple devices to stream live sport, watch YouTube, and even access in-flight movie offerings from United on my own device.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ai-real-estate-photos-is-it-legal-rules-laws-everything-to-know-explained/f6735107-48b8-45f7-9d4e-39958e68cf5e"><strong><span>Why tenants can't trust photos like this on rental listings anymore</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>To access the service, passengers will need a United "Mileage Plus" account, which is their frequent flyer program and is free to join, and there do appear to be short commercials to watch before your connection is active.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fortunately, voice and video calling is not allowed, so no boisterous or annoying conversations are likely to happen around you on the flight.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In addition to using this fast Wi-Fi for your own devices, United is also enhancing the seat-back experience right through the cabin.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/fuel-prices-updates-iran-war-trucking-industry/13a5b797-8e31-40bf-8260-cc83f4f8601e"><strong><span>All households to suffer if 'central' industry buckles under soaring fuel costs</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Passengers in Economy will have access to new infotainment screens that already include content from major streaming platforms like Apple TV and HBO Max, but will also allow you to use the Spotify app with your own account, so you can stream your music and your playlists.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Plus, you can do this with your own headphones with Bluetooth connectivity in every seat. If you don't have your own, the earbuds have been improved too!</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For the ultimate experience, United is also adding a new enhanced Business Class offering, with the front row of the two Business Class cabins to be equipped with "Polaris Studio" seats on their new aircraft, offering even more space and comforts.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fortunately, the entire seating setup for Economy, Economy Plus, Premium, and Business has been overhauled with new, more comfortable seats.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The USA is a long way away, so these enhancements might just make that 13-hour flight a little more comfortable – if you're lucky enough to score one of these new planes on your next trip.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>Trevor Long travelled to Los Angeles as a guest of United Airlines.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>