## JetBlue Selects Amazon's Project Kuiper for In-Flight Wi-Fi, Challenging SpaceX's Starlink **News Title:** Sorry, Starlink: JetBlue becomes 1st airline to pick Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites for in-flight Wi-Fi **Report Provider:** Space.com **Author:** Mike Wall **Publication Date:** September 5, 2025 This news report from Space.com details a significant development in the competitive landscape of satellite-based internet services for in-flight Wi-Fi. JetBlue has announced it will be the first airline to utilize Amazon's Project Kuiper satellites for its onboard connectivity, marking a notable win for Amazon in its bid to compete with SpaceX's established Starlink service. ### Key Findings and Conclusions: * **JetBlue's Commitment:** JetBlue will begin offering Wi-Fi powered by Project Kuiper satellites on its flights starting in **2027**. This is the first such commitment Amazon has secured from an airline. * **Competitive Landscape:** This move positions Project Kuiper as a direct competitor to SpaceX's Starlink, which already has agreements with several major airlines, including Alaskan, Hawaiian, United, Air France, and Qatar Airways. * **Amazon's Progress:** Project Kuiper is described as being in the "early stages of construction." As of the report's publication, **102 of its planned 3,200 satellites** have been launched into low Earth orbit (LEO). Notably, all 102 of these spacecraft have been deployed within the past four months, across four separate rocket launches. * **Future Ambitions:** Amazon representatives stated their intention to "accelerate production, processing and deployment rates" with the goal of commencing service to initial customers "later this year" (2025) and expanding coverage and capacity thereafter. * **Broader Partnerships:** Beyond the JetBlue agreement, Amazon has also partnered with aerospace giant Airbus to integrate Project Kuiper's connectivity solution into their aircraft catalog. ### Key Statistics and Metrics: * **Project Kuiper Satellites Launched:** 102 * **Planned Project Kuiper Satellites:** 3,200 * **Project Kuiper Deployment Timeline:** All 102 launched in the past four months. * **Starlink Operational Satellites:** More than 8,300 * **JetBlue Wi-Fi Rollout:** Starting in 2027. ### Significant Trends or Changes: * **Emergence of New Competitor:** Project Kuiper is actively entering the market, challenging the current dominance of SpaceX's Starlink in the airline Wi-Fi sector. * **Accelerated Deployment:** Amazon is demonstrating a rapid pace of satellite deployment for Project Kuiper, indicating a strong push to build out its constellation. * **Airline Adoption:** The JetBlue deal signifies a growing trend of airlines seeking advanced satellite-based internet solutions for their passengers. ### Notable Risks or Concerns: * **Project Kuiper's Early Stage:** While progress is being made, Project Kuiper is still in its nascent stages compared to Starlink's operational status and extensive network. * **Competition:** The market is highly competitive, with Starlink having a significant head start in terms of deployed satellites and established airline partnerships. ### Material Financial Data: * No specific financial data or investment figures were provided in this news report. ### Critical Statements: * **Marty St. George, President of JetBlue:** "Our agreement with Project Kuiper marks an exciting leap forward for us as the hands-down leader in onboard connectivity." * **Amazon Representatives:** "We're continuing to accelerate our production, processing and deployment rates. Our goal is to begin delivering service to our first customers later this year, and to roll out more widely as we add coverage and capacity to the network."
Sorry, Starlink: JetBlue becomes 1st airline to pick Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites for in-flight Wi-Fi
Read original at Space.com →A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 24 of Amazon's Project Kuiper internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Aug. 11, 2025. (Image credit: SpaceX via X) Amazon's new broadband satellite constellation just scored a big win.The company announced on Thursday (Sept. 4) that JetBlue will start using Wi-Fi provided by Project Kuiper satellites on its flights in 2027.
It's the first such commitment Amazon has received from an airline, a number of which have already signed up to use the services of a competitor — SpaceX's Starlink megaconstellation."Our agreement with Project Kuiper marks an exciting leap forward for us as the hands-down leader in onboard connectivity," Marty St.
George, president of JetBlue, said in an Amazon statement on Thursday. "Whether it's binge-watching a favorite 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."
Project Kuiper is still in the early stages of construction; just 102 of its planned 3,200 satellites have reached low Earth orbit (LEO) to date.But all 102 of those spacecraft have gone up in the past four months, on four separate rocket launches. And the company plans to move even faster going forward."
We're continuing to accelerate our production, processing and deployment rates," Amazon representatives said in the same statement. "Our goal is to begin delivering service to our first customers later this year, and to roll out more widely as we add coverage and capacity to the network."SpaceX's Starlink megaconstellation, which also resides in LEO, is the biggest satellite network ever assembled, at more than 8,300 operational craft and counting.
The service is up and running, providing connection to customers around the world.Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!SpaceX has inked Starlink deals with a number of airlines, including Alaskan, Hawaiian, United, Air France and Qatar Airways.The JetBlue contract isn't Amazon's only plane-related Project Kuiper partnership.
In April, Amazon signed a deal with France-based aerospace giant Airbus "to integrate Project Kuiper's connectivity solution into their aircraft catalog," as Thursday's statement noted. Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.
com. Michael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with Space.com and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, "Out There," was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist.
He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. To find out what his latest project is, you can follow Michael on Twitter.
