US Airlines Plan to Install Starlink Wi-Fi on 500 Aircraft Starting from 2027

According to Bloomberg, American Airlines Group plans to install SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service on more than 500 narrow-body aircraft starting from the first quarter of 2027. This move will cover most of its domestic and short-haul international fleet, including the upcoming Airbus A321neo and A321XLR deliveries.

American Airlines stated that Starlink's low Earth orbit satellite network can provide stable streaming, gaming, and video calling services, aimed at significantly improving the current pain point of unstable in-flight internet. Previously, the company has partnered with AT&T to offer free high-speed Wi-Fi services for AAdvantage loyalty program members, primarily provided by Viasat, with some fleet using Intelsat equipment, and deployment has already started earlier this year.

For a long time, American Airlines has lagged behind United Airlines and Delta Air Lines in terms of premium cabin and service upgrades. United Airlines has taken the lead in deploying Starlink on some regional fleets and plans to gradually expand coverage; Southwest Airlines also announced earlier this year that it will equip more than 300 aircraft with Starlink by the end of 2026, with the first aircraft featuring the service to be operational this summer.