United Airlines and DIRECTV are teaming up to stream live TV, including live sports, on Starlink-enabled seatback screens through July 20. This initiative allows passengers on as many as 150 Starlink-enabled aircraft to access more than a dozen live channels, such as FOX, ESPN, and BBC, leveraging the world's fastest inflight Wi-Fi service. The collaboration targets soccer fans during the summer's major sports tournament, offering real-time entertainment at 35,000 feet.

In 2024, United signed the industry's largest agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink's Wi-Fi to its mainline and regional fleets. Today, Starlink is active on more than 400 United mainline and United Express aircraft, with the carrier expecting to outfit its entire fleet before the end of 2027. The airline recently accelerated the rollout with the first transatlantic widebody flight on a Boeing 777-200, marking the start of service on nearly 60 widebody aircraft this year.

"United is adding Starlink to more aircraft than any other airline in the world," said Andrew Nocella, United's Chief Commercial Officer. "The combination of Starlink's reliable connectivity and DIRECTV IN FLIGHT live TV is a game-changer."

Enhancing the Seatback Experience

The live TV streaming uses "Viasat Live TV" and "Thales 360" web-enabled applications to deliver content to seatback screens via Starlink connectivity. United has more than 160,000 screens across its fleet and plans to double that number through new deliveries and retrofits. This move shifts the inflight experience from static on-demand content to dynamic, real-time streaming.

Starlink Fleet Expansion

Since launching Starlink Wi-Fi, United has flown over 18.6 million passengers on more than 311,000 flights, powering 9.9 million devices. MileagePlus members enjoy free access to the service, which delivers high-speed internet over oceans and polar regions.

B of A Securities analyst Andrew Didora has maintained a Buy rating on United Airlines Holdings (NASDAQ: UAL) and increased the price target to $145 from $140. The adjustment reflects a revised outlook on the stock's valuation potential.

Rating and Target Details

The firm's endorsement comes with a specific price objective for the shares. The table below outlines the revised target compared to the previous estimate.

United Airlines Holdings operates as a major airline in the United States. The stock trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol UAL.