American Airlines picks Starlink WiFi for over 500 Airbus narrowbody jets
May 27, 2026
American Airlines has announced it will install Starlink satellite internet on more than 500 Airbus narrowbody aircraft, shifting the balance once again in the in-flight connectivity upgrades announced by a US carrier this year.
The airline says installations will begin in the first quarter of 2027 and will cover existing and new aircraft operating domestic and short- to mid-haul international routes.
The rollout will include new Airbus narrowbody deliveries, such as the Airbus A321neo and the long-range Airbus A321XLR.
American said the Starlink service will be offered free to AAdvantage loyalty members, following the general industry trend of offering complimentary onboard internet as a loyalty program boost.
American favours Starlink over Amazon
Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite network has quickly won over airlines by offering lower latency and significantly faster speeds than geostationary satellite systems traditionally used onboard aircraft.
American is joining a growing list of carriers adopting Starlink, including United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines.
“As a premium global airline, we are continuously seeking out world-class partners like Starlink to deliver what our customers need and want,” said American Airlines Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden. “The addition of Starlink solidifies American as a leading airline in keeping passengers connected in flight.”
The decision is particularly notable because American had previously explored alternatives. Earlier reporting suggested the airline had discussed using Amazon’s Project Kuiper low Earth orbit network, now branded Amazon Leo, for future onboard connectivity, a service that Delta Air Lines and JetBlue have selected.
However, Starlink’s established and growing massive satellite constellation has given SpaceX a distinct advantage over Amazon Leo.
American may join British Airways in allowing calls on Starlink connections
While the announcement is very carefully worded, it leaves open the possibility that American Airlines will allow passengers to make video calls using the low-latency, high-bandwidth in-flight WiFi.
The airline states, “Starlink will enable seamless streaming, browsing, and real-time communication capabilities.” While ‘real-time communication’ can include many applications, it would leave room for video conferences.
Garboden only adds, “Starlink’s high speed and low latency make the WiFi more reliable, which matters when customers are trying to load pages, join real-time collaboration tools, or stay connected consistently throughout a flight.”
American’s oneworld partners British Airways and Aer Lingus already allow video and voice calls on their Starlink-equipped aircraft.
Not the whole American fleet — yet
With the latest American deal, Starlink continues to dominate the race for faster WiFi. However, the airline’s decision to limit installation to its Airbus narrowbody planes suggests it is leaving options open for alternative suppliers on its 406 Boeing narrowbody and 137 Boeing widebody aircraft.
American currently uses multiple connectivity providers, including Viasat and SES, across parts of its fleet.
Valour Consultancy estimates the number of commercial aircraft committed to Starlink IFC now stands at 7,000-8,000, including confirmed future aircraft deliveries. For Amazon, JetBlue would add around 300 aircraft, and Delta would contribute 1,000 more, but Starlink is still in the lead.
The American announcement is yet another boost for Starlink after its recent setback with Delta. But regardless of the provider, it’s clear that globally, the in-flight WiFi market is being shaped by competing LEO constellations, as carriers see fast, reliable onboard internet access as an essential element of their passenger experience.
Featured Image: American Airlines
