American Airlines said Tuesday it plans install starlink on more than 500 Airbus narrowbody aircraft starting early next year, the latest airline to choose the SpaceX unit for inflight Wi-Fi service.
The deal provides more than just a financial boost for Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite communications network and the only business unit that generates significant revenue. It also gives SpaceX a win over competition, such as Amazon Leo and other legacy providers like Viasat.
Starlink satellites use low-Earth orbit to provide broadband Internet to both consumers and business customers like American Airlines. The company has signed contracts with airlines and cruise operators with some success. United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa Group, British Airways and Alaska Airlines (which merged with Hawaiian Airlines) have equipped some planes with Starlink, according to SpaceX IPO Registration Filing which was released last week.
American Airlines is the latest, although not all of its planes will get the Starlink upgrade. The airline’s new Airbus A321XLR and A320neo aircraft will get Starlink; its Boeing aircraft are not part of this agreement.
Still, it provides another tailwind for SpaceX in the run-up to its Long-awaited IPO next month, which is projected to be the largest in history.
