United Airlines Holdings Inc. is poised to join American Airlines Group Inc. in a rare technical setup characterized by a Golden Cross pattern, coinciding with expanded partnerships involving Starlink satellite internet service. The convergence of bullish momentum and technological upgrades marks a shift in competitive dynamics for major carriers.

Starlink Partnerships Expand

United announced a partnership with DIRECTV to stream live television and sports on Starlink-enabled seatback screens. This initiative supports the broader rollout of Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s Starlink satellite internet. The airline recently launched its first international widebody flight equipped with Starlink and anticipates installing the technology on nearly 60 widebody aircraft by the end of the year.

American Airlines is also advancing its connectivity strategy. The carrier plans to equip more than 500 regional and narrow-body aircraft with Starlink service starting in 2027. Southwest Airlines Company recently rolled out Starlink Wi-Fi on a commercial flight, reflecting a broader industry trend toward adopting advanced satellite technology.

Technical Indicators Signal Momentum

American Airlines recently completed a Golden Cross, a pattern where the 50-day moving average rises above the 200-day moving average. This formation is often interpreted by technical traders as a sign of improving long-term momentum.

United appears close to generating a similar signal following a rally in June. The stock's 50-day average at $101.84 is approaching the 200-day average at $102.42, supported by positive volume. If the crossover occurs, United would join American Airlines in combining bullish technical indicators with deepening Starlink integration.

Strategic Shift Toward Connectivity

The adoption of Starlink's low-Earth-orbit satellite network represents a move beyond traditional competition on fares and routes. The technology offers faster internet speeds and lower latency compared to legacy inflight systems, enabling passengers to stream content and browse seamlessly. While the impact on profitability remains to be seen, the operational and technical improvements are drawing investor attention to carriers executing these upgrades.

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.