American Airlines is equipping its entire mainline fleet with Starlink Wi-Fi starting in 2027, expanding an earlier agreement to cover over 1,030 aircraft. The upgrade will deliver speeds of up to 1Gbps via SpaceX’s Performance Aero Terminal, significantly enhancing in-flight connectivity for more than 165 million annual customers. This move marks a strategic shift from a previous partnership with AT&T and strengthens Starlink’s position in the competitive in-flight Wi-Fi market.
Despite losing a bid to provide service for Delta Air Lines to Amazon’s Project Kuiper, SpaceX continues to dominate the sector. The deal adds to the 724 United Airlines aircraft already using Starlink, representing about 41% of that fleet. Globally, Starlink has now partnered with 48 airlines, solidifying its role as a leading provider of satellite-based internet for air travel.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing