Back in December, we reported something extraordinary: blazing-fast, gate-to-gate Wi-Fi on United Airlines 737 MAX flights between Hawaii and the West Coast. At the time, we wondered if it was a fluke—an unannounced test or a lucky glitch.
We asked flight attendants and others at United, but that led to nothing. Now, other reports suggest it wasn’t a fluke at all. United Airlines appears to be actively upgrading these Viasat-equipped Hawaii planes to provide seamless connectivity across more flights to and from the islands, fully aligning with what we first uncovered.
Blazing speeds without Starlink: how United is filling the gap.
Historically, Wi-Fi on Hawaii flights has been unreliable at best. However, improvements have been coming quickly across the airlines. It’s still fresh in our minds how connectivity used to drop off completely once flights left the mainland, leaving travelers, including us, frustrated over the Pacific.
United is closing this gap with these upgrades to Viasat systems on its 737 MAX fleet. The improvements enable gate-to-gate connectivity, which we reported significantly boosts flights between the West Coast and Hawaii.
While United has touted its Starlink partnership as the future of inflight connectivity, these Viasat upgrades are a crucial interim step, providing immediate technology for Hawaii travelers long before the full Starlink rollout arrives.
December was just the beginning.
Our December experience was the first glimpse of this change in action. Onboard a United 737 MAX, we saw Wi-Fi speeds approaching Hawaiian Airlines’ Starlink-powered flights. Passengers, including us, streamed videos, checked emails, and stayed connected from takeoff to landing—a rare feat for many Hawaii flights.
Recent reports suggest United is systematically rolling out this capability across more aircraft, making it a standard feature for Hawaii routes.
What’s next for United’s Wi-Fi.
United’s Wi-Fi evolution isn’t stopping until it is done, and we now expect to see all of these narrow-body Boeing Max and upcoming A321neo flights equipped almost immediately. For Hawaii travelers, even more flights will offer consistent connectivity from gate to gate.
Of course, all eyes remain on United’s highly-publicized Starlink rollout. While the Viasat upgrades are welcome, Starlink promises faster speeds and lower latency, as we reported on a recent flight between Hawaii and Tahiti. However, with no firm timeline for Starlink on Hawaii flights, Viasat is filling the gap for now.
Why it matters for Hawaii travelers.
Here’s what United’s Wi-Fi upgrades mean for you:
Gate-to-gate connectivity is fast-approaching. If you’re flying on a Viasat-equipped 737 MAX, you will now or can soon stay connected the entire flight. Expect these upgrades on additional Hawaii-bound planes in the months ahead.
It’s not Starlink—but it’s still a game-changer. While Starlink is still the long-term goal, these Viasat upgrades adequately address Hawaii travelers’ immediate needs.
Final thoughts.
Our December discovery wasn’t just a lucky moment—it was, as we suspected, the quiet start of something bigger. United’s commitment to upgrading Wi-Fi on Hawaii flights appears to deliver the consistent, high-quality connectivity passengers finally have been waiting for. We’ll keep tracking these developments and sharing what matters most for Hawaii travelers.
Have you noticed better Wi-Fi on a recent Hawaii flight? Share your experiences in the comments below.
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Having just flown on Hawaiian SFO-HNL, I got to experience the Starlink internet. It was free, it was reliable, and it was priceless when you consider the fact that I was able to text and communicate with my family while in-flight. A game changer! I still opted to watch downloaded movies rather than streaming, but that’s only because I’m so used to doing it that way. Happy travels!
What you saw was equivalent to a restaurant’s “soft open”.
Also, since these systems are wireless in the cabin, switching from one carrier to another is much less work. And from there, it’s “only software”. I’m puzzled by previous comments about 4K seatback displays. Newer single aisle aircraft I’ve been on come with a plastic clamp/shelf and 115vac plug so the passenger can BYOD. This is far better for all parties. The airline could even rent iPads on-board ka-Ching.
I recently flew to Kauai from Sacramento, CA on Hawaiian Airlines and was pleasantly surprised at how good the Starlink Wi-Fi was that they offered. I was able to stream movies from my Prime Video and Hulu account without any issues. It’s a game changer from my experience with Southwest…