JetBlue Will Be the First Airline to Implement Amazon's Project Kuiper Satellite Technology
Will Be Available on Carrier's Airbus Airplanes in 2027
JetBlue is the first airline with plans to bring Amazon's Project Kuiper satellite internet network to its commercial airline customers. The collaboration will enhance in-flight connectivity, enabling travelers to better stream, scroll, and share while flying on the airline.
"Our agreement with Project Kuiper marks an exciting leap forward for us as the hands-down leader in onboard connectivity."
Marty St. George, JetBlue
Under the agreement, JetBlue will implement Project Kuiper's low Earth orbit satellite technology on select aircraft beginning in 2027. JetBlue introduced free high-speed Wi-Fi with its Fly-Fi service in 2013 and will continue offering complimentary connectivity to all customers with the Kuiper-powered system.
"Our agreement with Project Kuiper marks an exciting leap forward for us as the hands-down leader in onboard connectivity," said Marty St. George, president of JetBlue. "Whether it's binge-watching a favorite show, staying connected with loved ones, or wrapping up a work project, we're always looking for ways to make our customers' time in the air as connected and productive as they want it to be."
The demand for in-flight Wi-Fi has increased in recent years as the use of streaming services, social media, and cloud platforms among travelers has climbed.
"Staying connected is part of everyday life, even when you're traveling," said Panos Panay, senior vice president of Amazon Devices & Services. "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."
Project Kuiper represents a step forward for low Earth orbit systems serving the aviation industry, the company says. Its aviation-specific customer terminal is based on our most powerful Kuiper terminal—a full-duplex, Ka-band phased array antenna that can support download speeds up to 1 Gbps on a single device. The aviation antenna will provide substantial bandwidth for streaming and other data-intensive activities.
Beyond JetBlue, Amazon recently signed an agreement with European plane maker Airbus to integrate Project Kuiper's connectivity solution into their aircraft catalog. As Amazon expands the Kuiper constellation for its commercial launch, this partnership with JetBlue represents a significant step in bringing improved satellite internet to travelers—supporting Amazon's vision to keep customers on planes connected, no matter where they’re headed.
Amazon’s $140 million site at Kennedy Space Center can support up to three simultaneous launch campaigns for its satellite internet network.
With four rocket launches in four months, Amazon now has more than 100 Kuiper satellites in orbit, and they are continuing to accelerate production, processing, and deployment rates. The company's goal is to begin delivering service to its first customers later this year, and to roll out more widely as coverage and capacity is added to the network.