JetBlue’s Sky-High Bet on Amazon’s Project Kuiper for Blazing Fast In-Flight WiFi

JetBlue has always been the people’s airline – free snacks, more legroom, and since 2013, free WiFi on all flights. Now they’re doubling down on that promise by teaming up with Amazon’s Project Kuiper to bring next-gen internet to the skies. Starting in 2027, passengers will have access to satellite WiFi that can reach speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second – so buffering will be a thing of the past.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper is a constellation of over 3,200 low-Earth orbit satellites that will provide high-speed internet around the world. Unlike traditional geostationary satellites that hover 22,000 miles above Earth, Kuiper’s satellites orbit between 340 and 1,200 miles above, reducing latency and increasing speed. JetBlue’s current WiFi, powered by Viasat’s geostationary technology, provides gate-to-gate access, but Kuiper’s system will make streaming, scrolling and working aloft as seamless as it is on the ground. By 2028, every JetBlue plane will have this new tech.

So why is JetBlue switching teams? For starters, reliability and speed are key. Viasat has served them well, but Kuiper’s low Earth orbit system is more streamlined and responsive. Passengers will be able to download full movies in seconds and video call without lag. JetBlue’s president, Marty St. George, said simply, “We want customers to stay connected whether they’re binge watching or finishing a work project at 35,000 feet.”

Amazon is carving out its own piece of the satellite internet pie and JetBlue is its first airline customer. Project Kuiper is still in its early days, with only about 100 satellites deployed so far compared to Starlink which has over 8,000. But Amazon’s goal is clear: they’re building a mesh network in space, linked by high-speed optical links and supported by a global network of antennas and fiber. Amazon’s senior vice president of Devices and Services, Panos Panay, called it a mission to keep customers connected anywhere – whether at home or cruising at Mach 0.8.

JetBlue’s decision to go with Kuiper over Starlink, which United Airlines just signed up for, sets up an interesting dynamic. Starlink has an early lead in satellites so it has coverage advantage, but Kuiper is focusing on aviation specific solutions, including a deal with Airbus to integrate its tech into aircraft manufacturing. JetBlue’s bet may pay off if Kuiper delivers on low latency and high bandwidth as Amazon ramps up satellite launches to reach its 3,200 target.
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