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DUATS vs SpaceX Starlink Aviation

DUATS logo

DUATS

Aviation

FAA Direct User Access Terminal System for flight briefings

From
$9.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SpaceX Starlink Aviation logo

SpaceX Starlink Aviation

Aviation

High-speed satellite internet for aircraft

From
$12500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DUATS service has been discontinued as of May 2018; SpaceX Starlink Aviation no pricing information published on aviation service page
  • They diverge on capability: DUATS covers Flight briefings, SpaceX Starlink Aviation covers High-speed internet.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DUATS and SpaceX Starlink Aviation actually diverge.

Attributes where DUATS and SpaceX Starlink Aviation differ
AttributeDUATSSpaceX Starlink Aviation
Starting price$9.95/month$12500/month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidHardware
Founded19902002

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Aviation).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in DUATS

  • Flight briefings
  • Weather data
  • Flight planning
  • Flight filing
  • NOTAMs
  • FAA systems
  • Weather services
  • Chart databases

Only in SpaceX Starlink Aviation

  • High-speed internet
  • Low latency
  • Global coverage
  • Streaming capable
  • Multi-user support
  • Aircraft systems
  • IFE systems
  • Cabin management

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

DUATS

  • Flight briefingnot SpaceX Starlink Aviation
  • Flight planningnot SpaceX Starlink Aviation
  • Flight filingnot SpaceX Starlink Aviation
  • Weather briefingnot SpaceX Starlink Aviation

SpaceX Starlink Aviation

  • Passenger connectivitynot DUATS
  • Crew operationsnot DUATS
  • Real-time datanot DUATS
  • Entertainmentnot DUATS
  • Business operationsnot DUATS

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

DUATS

  • Service has been discontinued as of May 2018
  • No longer available for flight planning or briefing

SpaceX Starlink Aviation

  • No pricing information published on aviation service page
  • Service availability and hardware requirements not clearly specified
  • Bandwidth limitations and latency specifications not disclosed

Pricing, plan by plan

DUATS

$9.95/month
  • Basic$9.95/month
    • Flight briefings
    • Weather data
    • Flight planning
  • Premium$29.95/month
    • All Basic features
    • Advanced weather
    • Priority briefings

SpaceX Starlink Aviation

$12500/month
  • Starlink Aviation$12500/month
    • Up to 350 Mbps
    • Global coverage
    • Low latency

Which should you pick?

Choose DUATS if

  • You need flight briefings.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want weather data.
DUATS review

Choose SpaceX Starlink Aviation if

  • You need high-speed internet.
  • You work on Hardware.
  • You also want low latency.
SpaceX Starlink Aviation review

Questions people ask

Is DUATS or SpaceX Starlink Aviation better?
Neither clearly leads. DUATS starts at $9.95/month and SpaceX Starlink Aviation at $12500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DUATS or SpaceX Starlink Aviation?
DUATS starts at $9.95/month and SpaceX Starlink Aviation at $12500/month.
Does DUATS or SpaceX Starlink Aviation run on more platforms?
DUATS runs on Web, Ios, Android. SpaceX Starlink Aviation runs on Hardware.
What is DUATS best used for?
DUATS is most often used for flight briefing, flight planning, flight filing, weather briefing. Of those, flight briefing and flight planning are not what SpaceX Starlink Aviation is typically brought in for.
What can DUATS do that SpaceX Starlink Aviation cannot?
DUATS covers Flight briefings, Weather data, Flight planning, Flight filing. SpaceX Starlink Aviation covers High-speed internet, Low latency, Global coverage, Streaming capable.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DUATS: Is DUATS still available?

No. The FAA discontinued the Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS II) on May 16, 2018.

Source
SpaceX Starlink Aviation: What does Starlink Aviation service cost?

Starlink does not publish pricing information on its aviation service page. Customers interested in service must contact Starlink directly to inquire about availability, hardware costs, and monthly subscription rates.

Source
DUATS: Did DUATS cost money?

No. DUATS was free to all registered U.S. pilots and student pilots holding a current medical certificate.

Source
SpaceX Starlink Aviation: How do I purchase Starlink Aviation service?

The aviation service page does not provide details on how to purchase or sign up. Interested parties are directed to contact Starlink through the main website.

Source
DUATS: What replaced DUATS?

Pilots now access internet-based weather, aeronautical information, and flight plan filing through the FAA flight service website at no charge.

Source
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