Amazon’s Project Kuiper, initiated in 2019 as a competitor to Starlink, is gaining momentum with its first airline partnership. JetBlue is slated to begin offering Wi-Fi services powered by Kuiper in 2027.
In April, Amazon successfully launched its initial batch of 27 low-Earth orbit satellites. The Kuiper constellation has since expanded to over 100 satellites, contributing to the planned network of 3,200. A subsequent launch is scheduled for later this month. While Amazon is making strides, it still trails behind Starlink, which currently operates over 8,000 satellites.
Panos Panay of Amazon recently demonstrated a speed test using an enterprise-grade dish, achieving download speeds of just over 1 Gbps. Amazon anticipates that initial customers will begin utilizing the service this year, with a broader rollout planned for 2026. The Project Kuiper-powered Wi-Fi will initially be available on select aircraft, promising lower latency and more reliable service due to the satellites orbiting between 367 and 391 miles above Earth, significantly closer than geostationary satellites at 22,369 miles.
Amazon has also partnered with Airbus to integrate Project Kuiper’s satellite internet service into its aircraft.
