American low-cost carrier (LCC) JetBlue announced in September 2025 that it will be offering in-flight Wi-Fi through Amazon’s Project Kuiper from 2027.
JetBlue is the first airline in the world to partner with Jeff Bezos’s low earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband company. By linking devices to LEO satellites rather than fibre broadband cables, Project Kuiper can improve global internet access in remote areas of the planet — and even the atmosphere above it.
Marty St. George, president of JetBlue, said:
Our agreement with Project Kuiper marks an exciting leap forward for us as the hands-down leader in onboard connectivity. Whether it’s binge-watching a favourite 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.
In 2025, multiple airlines are introducing inflight Wi-Fi via Starlink, Project Kuiper’s primary competitor. But how is the LEO market expanding, and why should improving inflight connectivity be a top priority for airline executives?
Passengers demand better inflight connectivity
Viasat’s 2024 survey of over 11,000 passengers revealed the global appetite for high-speed, gate-to-gate Wi-Fi, especially on long-haul flights. 90% of respondents thought connectivity was important when flying long-haul, and 83% said Wi-Fi should be free on flights over six hours long.
The survey also highlighted that superior inflight Wi-Fi enhanced customer loyalty: 66% of frequent flyers said they were more likely to rebook with an airline that provided high-quality Wi-Fi.
94% of passengers said that they wanted to use their personal devices on flights, alongside access to inflight entertainment (IFE). With the ubiquity of streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify, customers increasingly expect to use their personal accounts to access favourite entertainment wherever they are — including at 30,000 feet.
As a result of this trend, market research now predicts the global IFE and connectivity market will be worth US$11.7 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%.
Starlink vs Project Kuiper: What’s the difference?
Starlink and Project Kuiper both aim to improve global connectivity through constellations of low earth orbit satellites. Starlink has a head start, having launched its first satellite in 2019. Its network currently surpasses 8,000 satellites, which provide internet to users in over 100 countries.
Project Kuiper began full-scale satellite deployment in April 2025 and now has more than 100 satellites orbiting the Earth. Backed by a US$10 billion investment, the company plans to increase that number to 3,236. Beta testing will begin before the end of 2025, with commercial operations rolling out from 2026.
The market is set to become increasingly crowded over the coming years as more LEO developers expand their services. These include Eutelsat OneWeb and Telesat, as well as Chinese company Guowang.
Many airlines already offer inflight Wi-Fi, but LEO operators can provide an upgraded service. Passengers connected to an LEO broadband can seamlessly stream video, play games, or browse social media from the comfort of their seat. While customer demand for these services grows, airlines will need to invest to stay ahead of the curve.
Which airlines offer Starlink?
The JetBlue partnership marks Project Kuiper’s first foray into the commercial aviation market. JetBlue is also the first LCC to introduce inflight Wi-Fi via LEO satellites.
Starlink is rolling out across multiple legacy carriers from 2025. These include:
- airBaltic
- Air France
- Air New Zealand
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
- United Airlines
- WestJet
Meanwhile, Telesat has also signed a multi-year contract with Viasat, the largest broadband connectivity provider in the aviation market. From 2027, passengers travelling on aircraft equipped with the Viasat GM-40 antenna will enjoy gate-to-gate Wi-Fi access. Viasat’s customers currently include American Airlines and Qantas.
As customers’ habits change, offering high-speed, reliable inflight Wi-Fi is increasingly an expectation in aviation. With Starlink, Project Kuiper, and Telesat expanding operations, this sector looks set to become one of the most dynamic and transformative powers in the passenger experience sector over the coming years.
Join us at World Aviation Festival 2025, where we’ll be discussing IFE, connectivity, and the future cabin experience.
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