American Airlines said Tuesday it plans to do so install starlink The carrier is the latest to choose the SpaceX unit for inflight Wi-Fi service on more than 500 narrow-body Airbus planes as early as next year.
The deal not only provides a financial boost for Starlink, the satellite communications network and the only SpaceX business unit generating meaningful 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 consumers as well as enterprises such as 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 aircraft with Starlink. SpaceX IPO registration filed 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 much awaited ipo next month, which is projected to be the largest in history.
