American Airlines Considers Amazon for In-Flight Wi-Fi Over Starlink

American Airlines is considering Amazon for its next-generation in-flight Wi-Fi strategy, as per a Bloomberg report. The airline has held discussions with Amazon about utilizing its low-Earth-orbit satellite internet service, recently rebranded to Amazon Leo.

CEO Robert Isom confirmed these talks, stating that American is keeping its options open while satellite connectivity improves across the industry. He noted that while Starlink is a significant player, there are other low-Earth-orbit satellite opportunities worth exploring.

Isom emphasized the importance of meeting customer needs, hinting at advancements that could lead to better deals. This consideration is notable given the current dominance of SpaceX's Starlink, which has over 9,000 satellites in orbit and coverage in over 150 countries, serving over eight million commercial users globally.

In contrast, Amazon Leo has fewer than 200 satellites deployed, with plans to expand to over 3,200 units. While Starlink has rapidly gained traction among airlines, with carriers like Emirates, United Airlines, and Qatar Airways now using the service, Amazon Leo remains largely unproven at a commercial aviation scale.

American Airlines currently relies on providers like Viasat for connectivity and plans to offer free Wi-Fi to loyalty members starting in January through a partnership with AT&T. As competition intensifies, choosing a satellite provider with limited aviation adoption could disadvantage American Airlines, especially as passenger expectations for high-speed connectivity increase.

The timeline for Amazon Leo's official launch is set for early next year, starting in just five countries, which contrasts sharply with Starlink's existing capabilities and rapid expansion.