Starlink signs a new airline customer as it races to be the top in-flight internet provider

By Claudia Assis

American joins United in tapping Starlink for onboard wifi

American Airlines has tapped SpaceX's Starlink as it focuses on premium travelers.

American Airlines plans to install SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service on more than 500 planes, solidifying the Elon Musk company's lead among U.S. air carriers.

For American (AAL), the move is also about continuing to focus on premium travelers by offering them zippier in-flight internet access - even as it arrives a couple of beats behind major competitors Delta Air Lines (DAL) and United Airlines (UAL).

American said the Starlink rollout will start early next year and cover most of its domestic and international short-haul single-aisle jets, including newer Airbus (FR:AIR) (EADSY) planes scheduled to enter service.

That's roughly a third of American's fleet of 1,594 planes, including owned and leased aircraft as well as jets operated by its regional carriers.

United Airlines first announced a deal with Starlink for in-flight internet in September 2024. Delta Air Lines is the outlier, however; the airline drew Musk's ire by selecting Amazon.com's (AMZN) Leo as its satellite internet service.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in an interview with Bloomberg earlier this month that the Amazon service was cheaper than Starlink and also included retail and gaming technologies. Musk shot back that Delta's decision would make connectivity harder for its customers.

Tuesday's move comes after American in April announced free in-flight wifi to members of its loyalty program through AT&T (T) and using ViaSat (VSAT) and Intelsat high-speed satellite connectivity.

Other airlines using Starlink include Southwest (LUV) and Alaska Airlines (ALK) and international carriers such as Air France (FR:AF) (AFLYY) and Emirates.

Starlink is SpaceX's moneymaker, bringing in more than $11 billion in revenue last year - about 60% of the space company's total annual revenue. SpaceX filed paperwork for its initial public offering last week, and it's expected to start trading in the next few weeks.

-Claudia Assis

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05-26-26 1303ET