American Airlines announced plans to install SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet on more than 500 of its narrow-body aircraft, starting in early 2027. The service will be available on Airbus models, including the A321neo and A321XLR, with speeds up to 1 Gbps per antenna. The airline had previously evaluated both Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper for the service.
American Airlines confirmed it has no immediate plans to change providers for its Boeing fleet, which currently uses a mix of Viasat and Panasonic systems. The move follows a trend among major carriers, including United, Delta, and Southwest, to upgrade in-flight Wi-Fi to faster, more reliable options. Delta has chosen Amazon's Project Kuiper for its jets starting in 2028, while United and Alaska Airlines have also selected Starlink. American Airlines introduced free in-flight Wi-Fi for its frequent flyer members earlier this year, a move mirrored by other airlines.
SpaceX's Starlink, which operates thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit, has become a key player in the aviation industry's push for better connectivity. The company's connectivity unit, including Starlink, generated $11.39 billion in revenue last year, accounting for 61% of SpaceX's total sales. SpaceX is preparing for a record initial public offering (IPO) next month.