Amazon’s Project Kuiper Signs First Airline Deal for Satellite Internet
▼ Summary
– Amazon’s Project Kuiper will partner with JetBlue to provide in-flight Wi-Fi starting in 2027, marking its first airline deal.
– This move aims to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink, which already has agreements with multiple airlines including United and Air France.
– Amazon launched its first Project Kuiper satellites in April 2024 and currently has over 100 in orbit, with plans to deploy over 3,200 total.
– The service will initially be available on select aircraft and promises lower latency and more reliable service due to satellites orbiting closer to Earth.
– Amazon has also partnered with Airbus to integrate Project Kuiper’s internet service into its aircraft.
Amazon’s ambitious satellite internet venture, Project Kuiper, has secured its first airline partnership, marking a significant step in its competition with SpaceX’s Starlink. The company announced a deal with JetBlue to bring high-speed in-flight connectivity to passengers beginning in 2027. This move positions Amazon to challenge Starlink, which has already established agreements with major carriers including United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Air France.
Since its inception in 2019, Project Kuiper has been steadily advancing toward operational status. The initiative reached a critical milestone in April with the successful deployment of its initial batch of 27 low-earth orbit satellites. That number has since expanded to more than 100, though it represents only a small portion of the full constellation Amazon intends to build, a network exceeding 3,200 satellites. Another launch is scheduled before the end of the month, yet the project still lags behind Starlink, which boasts over 8,000 active satellites in orbit.
When service begins, Project Kuiper-powered Wi-Fi will be available on a select number of JetBlue aircraft. Amazon emphasizes that its system will deliver lower latency and greater reliability thanks to its satellites orbiting just 367 to 391 miles above Earth. This proximity offers a distinct advantage over traditional geostationary satellites, which operate from distances of roughly 22,369 miles. In a related development, Amazon has also partnered with Airbus to integrate its satellite internet technology directly into the manufacturer’s aircraft, streamlining implementation for future airline customers.
(Source: The Verge)
