JetBlue will become the first airline to adopt Amazon’s Project Kuiper, a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband network, to enhance its inflight Wi-Fi service, Fly-Fi. The new system is expected to be installed on part of the carrier’s fleet starting in 2027.
The airline, which introduced Fly-Fi in 2013 and remains the only major U.S. carrier offering free high-speed Wi-Fi across its entire fleet, plans to leverage Project Kuiper to deliver faster speeds and lower latency for passengers.
“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.”
Also Read- Duncan Aviation redefines GL-5000 with bespoke interior transformation
Amazon has already deployed more than 100 Kuiper satellites and is working toward an initial service rollout. The system is designed to provide global, high-capacity coverage through a constellation of interconnected LEO satellites.
“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 customers can enjoy fast, reliable internet wherever they are, at home or 35,000 feet in the air, and we’re pumped to bring that to life with JetBlue.”
JetBlue said the Kuiper upgrade will build on its current geostationary (GEO) satellite-based Fly-Fi network and could eventually lead to a multi-orbit solution that combines the strengths of both LEO and GEO systems.
