![Scott Kirby CEO of United](https://www.travelextra.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Scott-Kirby-scaled.jpg "United Airlines teams up with DIRECTV to stream live TV on Starlink\")
- The streaming initiative runs through 20 July 2026
- Up to 150 Starlink enabled aircraft offer the service
- Passengers receive free access to over a dozen channels
- Starlink operates on more than 400 United aircraft
- The partnership enables live sports and news viewing
United Airlines has teamed up with DIRECTV to stream live TV on Starlink enabled aircraft.
The service runs through 20 July 2026 on up to 150 aircraft. Passengers access more than a dozen live channels including FOX, ESPN, CNN and BBC News. The initiative supports viewing of major summer sports events.
United signed the largest Starlink agreement in the industry in 2024. Starlink now operates on more than 400 mainline and United Express aircraft. The carrier plans full fleet completion before the end of 2027.
The partnership uses Viasat Live TV and Thales 360 applications. Live content streams to seatback screens via Starlink connectivity. Andrew Nocella described the development as a step toward dynamic inflight entertainment.
