Washington, United States — JetBlue Airways will become the first airline to use Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite network to power its in-flight Wi-Fi service, the companies announced Wednesday, as the online retail giant tries to challenge the dominance of Elon Musk’s Starlink.
The partnership will see JetBlue implement Project Kuiper’s low orbit satellite technology on select aircraft beginning in 2027, enhancing the US airline’s existing service with faster speeds and lower latency than traditional satellite systems.
Amazon has launched more than 100 Kuiper satellites via four rocket launches in recent months and plans to begin delivering service to initial customers later this year before expanding coverage.
The company recently signed a separate agreement with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to integrate Project Kuiper connectivity into its aircraft catalog.
Project Kuiper is playing catch-up with Starlink’s sprawling network of internet satellites that has reshaped the sector and handed Musk significant geopolitical clout.
SpaceX launched the first batch of Starlink satellites in 2019 and in February said it had more than 6,750 operational units, serving over five million customers worldwide — making it by far the sector’s dominant force, even as other companies are entering the field.
Starlink has also provided crucial internet access in disaster and war zones, including Morocco after its devastating 2023 earthquake and on the frontlines in Ukraine’s war against Russia.
