JetBlue will become the first airline to use Amazon’s Project Kuiper low-Earth orbit satellite broadband network, a move that brings the e-commerce giant into aviation for the first time. The JetBlue Amazon Kuiper partnership will give the carrier access to low-Earth Orbit technology designed to deliver more reliable and faster free Wi-Fi and boost in-flight connectivity. The service is expected to begin in 2027 on selected aircraft.
JetBlue Free Wi-Fi Strengthened With Satellite Upgrade
Amazon Kuiper Project satellite network is set to enhance JetBlue free Wi-Fi feature, which it has offered since becoming the first major U.S. airline to provide the complimentary service since 2013.
Some airline competitors have since added free Wi-Fi to their onboard service, mostly through loyalty programs or limit access to certain aircraft. Delta Air Lines, for example, gives SkyMiles members free Wi-Fi on most flights. United and Hawaiian are adding Starlink internet service, while American and Southwest still charge or offer limited free access.
“Our agreement with the Project Kuiper marks an exciting leap forward for us as the hands-down leader in onboard connectivity,” said JetBlue President Marty St. George on Sept. 4.
Project Kuiper uses low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites with enhanced onboard connectivity, as passengers can expect more reliable connection, reduced latency and better streaming performance, video calls and cloud-based platforms. Industry experts warn that while speeds may significantly improve compared to the JetBlue’s current geostationary (GEO) satellite service, inflight internet is unlikely to fully replicate the experience of high-speed ground networks.
Analysts note that JetBlue’s Kuiper partnership will position it strongly, though competition is intensifying. SpaceX’s Starlink already serves multiple airlines, including United and Hawaiian, creating what some call a ‘battle of the tech titans’ in the skies.
JetBlue Amazon Kuiper Partnership Marks Amazon First Airline Deal
JetBlue Amazon Kuiper collaboration marks Project Kuiper’s first airline agreement and is part of Amazon’s $10 billion plan to launch more than 3,200 satellites worldwide. The company has already put over 100 satellites into orbit since April 2025 and plans to ramp up deployment.
“With Project Kuiper, we’re working to ensure you have a high-speed connectivity experience wherever you are, at home or 35,000 feet in the air,” said Panos Panay, senior vice president of Amazon & Services on Sept. 4.
However, Amazon’s ambition goes beyond enhancing JetBlue’s free Wi-Fi system. In April 2025, before JetBlue deal was announced, Amazon secured a deal with Airbus at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. Under the deal, Project Kuiper satellite network will be offered through Airbus’ High Connectivity Plus satellite program, giving airlines buying or retrofitting Airbus aircraft the option to add Kuiper’s in-flight connectivity service, similar to JetBlue satellite internet rollout.
At the core of the system is Kuiper’s aviation terminal, a full-duplex, Ka-band phased array antenna designed for high-speed performance. Amazon says the terminal can deliver download speed of up to 1 gigabit per second on a single device, enough for streaming, video calls and cloud apps. Amazon recently showcased the speeds, posting a video in early September 2025 that showed downloads exceeding 1.2 Gbps on an enterprise-grade terminal during a test.
Low Earth Orbit Fuels New Competition for In-Flight Connectivity
Unlike the GEO satellites used today, orbiting about 22,000 miles from Earth, Project Kuiper’s LEO satellites roughly fly at 367-391 miles. The shorter distance reduces internet latency, ultimately improving passengers’ onboard experience. JetBlue still relies on GEO systems but exploring a multi-orbit solution combining both GEO and LEO links, could enhance internet speed, reliability and coverage.
According to Reuters, Kuiper is expected to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink, which has already signed in-flight connectivity deals with United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. U.S. carriers are investing heavily in satellite Wi-Fi to win customers, making in-flight internet a key battleground for satellite network providers.
Earlier this year, Latvian carrier airBaltic became the first European airline to equip its Airbus A220-300 fleet with Starlink high-speed internet (Read more here).
In-flight connectivity is becoming a high-stakes sky race. What should airlines do next and who do you think will lead: Kuiper or Starlink? Comment below.
