JetBlue and Amazon’s Project Kuiper Join Forces for Next-Gen In-flight WiFi
JetBlue Airways has etched its name in the annals of aviation history by becoming the first airline to join forces with Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite network. This revolutionary partnership aims to redefine in-flight WiFi services.
The transformative collaboration is set to kick off in 2027, when JetBlue commences the installation of Project Kuiper’s cutting-edge low-Earth-orbit satellite technology on an estimated 25% of its fleet. This marks a significant milestone for Amazon’s ambitious $10 billion Project Kuiper initiative, which is poised to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink service directly.
With a constellation of over 100 satellites already in orbit and plans for a total of more than 3,200 satellites, Project Kuiper pledges to deliver faster speeds and lower latency than traditional satellite systems. JetBlue President Marty St. George underscored the airline’s commitment to connectivity leadership:
“Our agreement with Project Kuiper marks an exciting leap forward for us as the hands-down leader in onboard connectivity.”
The upgraded service will facilitate seamless streaming, enhance work productivity, and enable uninterrupted social connectivity at 35,000 feet. All this while upholding JetBlue’s tradition of offering free WiFi to all passengers.
The partnership also gave Amazon’s stock a significant boost, with a rise of over 4% following the announcement. This surge demonstrates investor confidence in Project Kuiper’s commercial viability and its growth potential in the fiercely competitive satellite internet market.
Source: CNBC