A method and apparatus employing an improved user interface for satellite communications user terminals in satellite communications systems provides call routing information, in particular gateway selection information, during channel request portion of call initiation. In one approach, a symbol, for example a key on a keypad, is associated with gateway selection information, such as a country code and national destination code. When a user thereafter initiates a call by selecting the symbol and causing a subscriber number for a desired destination to be entered, the satellite communications user terminal automatically transmits the gateway selection information associated with the symbol during the channel request portion of call initiation. In another approach, some gateway selection information is selected as a default. Thereafter, the satellite communications user terminal automatically transmits the default gateway selection information, when appropriate, during the channel request portion of subsequent call initiations until the default is changed. User satisfaction with satellite communications user terminals is thereby improved.