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JetBlue Picks Amazon’s Project Kuiper for Free In‑Flight Wi‑Fi, Its First Airline Deal

The deal underscores Amazon’s challenge to Starlink by pairing Kuiper’s scale‑up with JetBlue’s move toward a multi‑orbit approach involving its existing Viasat service.

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A Jetblue commercial airliner takes off form Las Vegas International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., February 8, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo
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Overview

  • Installations will begin in 2027 on about a quarter of JetBlue’s fleet, with rollout targeted to finish in 2028.
  • JetBlue will keep its free Fly‑Fi and existing Viasat GEO service, with Kuiper introduced first on aircraft using the original Fly‑Fi hardware.
  • Amazon says its aviation terminal, a Ka‑band phased‑array antenna, can deliver up to 1 Gbps per device with lower‑latency LEO connectivity.
  • Kuiper has launched more than 100 satellites since April and plans initial customer service later this year as it works toward an FCC mid‑2026 deployment milestone.
  • Bringing Kuiper onboard requires aircraft certification and retrofits, including first‑of‑type approvals and multi‑day installs that shape the 2027–2028 timeline.