FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines announced plans to significantly upgrade its inflight internet service by installing Starlink satellite Wi-Fi on more than 500 narrowbody aircraft beginning in the first quarter of 2027.
The airline said the modernization effort will bring high-speed connectivity to customers traveling on domestic and short-haul international routes.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, uses a low-Earth-orbit satellite network to provide broadband internet service capable of supporting video streaming, online gaming, video conferencing, and other data-intensive activities during flight.
“As a premium global airline, we are continuously seeking out world-class partners like Starlink to deliver what our customers need and want,” said Heather Garboden. “The addition of Starlink solidifies American as a leading airline in keeping passengers connected in flight.”
American said Starlink's technology can provide speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second per antenna, offering significantly faster and more reliable internet access than traditional inflight systems.
“American is committed to elevating every aspect of our customers’ travel journeys, which in the air means keeping them connected and comfortable with the assurance they won’t have to download documents ahead of a flight or worry about lag time,” Garboden added. “Starlink’s high speed and low latency make the Wi-Fi more reliable, which matters when customers are trying to load pages, join real-time collaboration tools or stay connected consistently throughout a flight. We are excited to bring an at-home level of Wi-Fi experience to our narrowbody fleet, enabling our customers to work, game, stream and scroll endlessly.”
Jason Fritch said the partnership will provide passengers and crew with reliable internet access throughout their journeys.
“We are proud to bring Starlink on board American Airlines, delivering fast and reliable internet to passengers and crew,” Fritch said. “Whether traveling for leisure or business, Starlink enables a fully connected experience gate to gate, making every flight smoother and more enjoyable.”
The rollout will include more than 500 Airbus narrowbody aircraft, including newly delivered Airbus A321XLR and Airbus A321neo aircraft.
The announcement marks one of the largest inflight connectivity upgrades in the airline's history as carriers continue investing in faster onboard internet service to meet growing passenger demand.
