United Airlines adds live football to flights

United Airlines customers can now catch live professional and college football games on their Starlink-enabled seatback screens, thanks to a new agreement between the airline and DISH. This service is available on over 200 Starlink-equipped airplanes, which operate around 700 flights per day, and includes live broadcasts from major networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, FS1, ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network, and TNF on Prime Video.

United Airlines now lets travelers watch live broadcasts from major networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, FS1, ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network, and TNF on Prime Video through Starlink. This entertainment addition builds on the airline’s legacy of backing professional football.

Notably, United’s commitment to football fans extends beyond in-flight entertainment, as the airline sponsors nine professional football teams in various cities, including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Washington D.C., Denver, Kansas City, Cleveland, and Nashville. Additionally, United operates over 200 team charter flights for 11 teams this season, demonstrating its dedication to the sport.

Expanding Starlink Coverage

United is rapidly adding Starlink and aims to have it installed on almost 700 aircraft by February. The service will be available on domestic routes until the Super Bowl. Starlink is complimentary for MileagePlus members in all fare classes.

Andrew Nocella, United’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, said, “Starlink opens a whole new world of features and benefits for our customers, regardless of where they sit on the plane.” He added that football fans can now watch their favorite team on seatback and make changes to their fantasy roster, text or live chat with friends, or stream different games on their phone, laptop, or tablet.

Starlink is free for MileagePlus members in every class of service, and the airline expects to complete installations before the end of 2027.

Partnership with DISH

DISH Executive Vice President of Video Services Amir Ahmed remarked, ‘With United, we are helping to rewrite the inflight playbook.’ He added that the collaboration between DISH’s OnStream platform and United’s Starlink connectivity ensures fans remain connected to key moments.

As Amir Ahmed noted, “Whether you’re sitting on your couch or cruising at 35,000 feet, you should be able to watch your favorite teams play.” This partnership highlights the importance of providing customers with a seamless and enjoyable entertainment experience, regardless of their location.

This new service is just the latest example of how United is using Starlink to redefine the inflight entertainment experience. Last month, United partnered with ESPN to host a first-of-its-kind live Fantasy Football Draft from 30,000 feet.

Football Flies United Campaign

United is also celebrating the intersection of football, fashion, and travel for its Football Flies United advertising campaign. The campaign features New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh and players from the Giants and Chicago Bears. Harbaugh said, “When our players step off the plane, we want them to feel rested, confident and ready to compete.”

The airline will also charter flights for the Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, and San Francisco 49ers for their international games in London, Paris, and Mexico City. For more information, customers can visit united.com.

Notably, Starlink is now active on more than 560 United mainline and United Express aircraft, and the airline has already flown over 31 million passengers on Starlink-powered aircraft across more than 464,000 flights, powering 14.2 million devices. This milestone demonstrates the significant impact of Starlink on the airline’s operations and customer experience.