JetBlue Pioneers Inflight Wi-Fi with Amazon’s Satellite Network
JetBlue Airways has made a groundbreaking announcement: it will pioneer the use of Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite network for inflight Wi-Fi, a first in the global airline industry. The implementation is set to commence in 2027.
This partnership is poised to significantly enhance JetBlue’s existing free Fly-Fi service. The upgrade will be rolled out on approximately 25% of its fleet, with installations projected to be completed by 2028.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper employs low Earth orbit satellites, which offer faster speeds and lower latency compared to traditional geostationary satellite systems. The aviation-grade terminal is capable of supporting download speeds of up to 1 Gbps. This impressive speed enables seamless streaming and other bandwidth-intensive activities during flights.
This deal marks a significant victory for Amazon in the competitive satellite Wi-Fi market. It positions them against SpaceX’s dominant Starlink service, which currently serves airlines such as United, Air France, and SAS.
Since 2013, JetBlue has been offering free high-speed Wi-Fi. With the upgraded Kuiper-powered system, the airline will continue providing complimentary connectivity to its passengers.
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Source: CNBC