A JetBlue plane equipped with a Kuiper aviation terminal. Photo: Amazon

JetBlue, long seen as one of the main in-flight connectivity (IFC) innovators, is the first major airline to sign up with Amazon’s Project Kuiper for IFC. JetBlue will start to introduce Project Kuiper’s technology on a portion of its fleet in 2027. This planned rollout would mark the next evolution of its Fly-Fi service and in-flight connectivity, with the aim of keeping customers connected from gate to gate for free. The two companies announced the contract, Sept. 4.

JetBlue will install Project Kuiper technology on aircraft currently flying JetBlue’s original Fly-Fi technology, which it said will enhance the customer experience with next-gen satellite connectivity with faster speeds and lower latency.

Kuiper has developed an aviation-specific customer terminal that it describes as a full-duplex, Ka-band phased array antenna that can support download speeds up to 1 Gbps on a single device.

JetBlue has been one of the pioneers on offering IFC services for free, and been one of the most influential airlines in the IFC market over the last decade. At the end of 2023, JetBlue celebrated its 10-year anniversary of Fly-Fi — the airline’s free and unlimited broadband satellite internet service. It has been one of Viasat’s longest-serving airline customers when it comes to IFC. This contract sends a strong message to the market that another big player has now entered the IFC space.

“Our agreement with Project Kuiper marks an exciting leap forward for us as the hands-down leader in onboard connectivity. 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,” Marty St. George, president of JetBlue, said in a statement.