American Airlines said Tuesday it plans to install Starlink on more than 500 narrow-body Airbus aircraft starting early next year. The aircraft is the latest airline to select a SpaceX device for its in-flight Wi-Fi service.
The deal provides more than financial gains for Starlink, a satellite communications network and the only SpaceX division that generates meaningful revenue. Additionally, SpaceX has an advantage over competitors such as Amazon Leo and other established providers such as Viasat.
Starlink satellites use low Earth orbit to provide broadband internet to consumers and corporate customers such as American Airlines. The company has pursued contracts with airlines and cruise operators, with some success. United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa Group, British Airways, and Alaska Airlines (merged with Hawaiian Airlines) have equipped some of their aircraft with Starlink, according to SpaceX’s IPO filing filed last week.
American Airlines has newer fleets, but not all of their aircraft receive Starlink upgrades. The airline’s new Airbus A321XLR and A320neo aircraft come with Starlink. Boeing aircraft are not part of this contract.
Still, it’s giving SpaceX another tailwind ahead of its highly anticipated IPO next month, which is expected to be the largest in history.
