An article summarized by CNBC:
American Airlines announced plans to equip more than 500 of its narrow-body aircraft with Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi, giving another major boost to SpaceX’s satellite internet business. The rollout will begin early next year on around 500 Airbus planes, including the A321neo, after American had been weighing both Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper (formerly Leo) as options. The airline said it does not currently plan to change Wi-Fi providers on its Boeing fleet, which uses services from Viasat and Panasonic.
The move reflects intensifying competition among airlines to attract premium travelers by upgrading once-slow and costly in-flight internet with faster, more reliable service. American joins carriers such as United, Southwest, and Alaska in choosing Starlink, while Delta has opted for Amazon’s system beginning in 2028. The deal also comes as SpaceX prepares for a major IPO, with its connectivity business, including Starlink, generating over $11 billion in revenue last year and accounting for a majority of the company’s sales.
