American Airlines is adding SpaceX’s Starlink service to its in-flight connectivity (IFC) lineup with a deal Tuesday to equip more than 500 narrowbody Airbus aircraft with Starlink.
American said it will update its Wi-Fi offering on more than 500 Airbus aircraft, including new A321XLR and A321neo deliveries. The modernization is set to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
American’s existing fleet of 484 Airbus aircraft (roughly half of its mainline fleet) are currently equipped with IFC from SES and Viasat. This includes the 2Ku solution from Intelsat, now part of SES, which uses Geostationary Orbit (GEO) connectivity.
“American will continue working with Viasat and SES (previously Intelsat), along with Starlink. We are always evaluating and working with partners to ensure we are delivering a valuable product to our customers,” a spokesperson for American Airlines told Via Satellite. “Our initial commitment targeted Airbus aircraft for American to achieve consistency within this fleet. ”
This year American expects 15 more Airbus aircraft to be delivered, and 71 Airbus aircraft to be delivered between 2027 and 2028.
This Starlink adoption does not impact SES’s multi-orbit rollout on American’s regional jets, SES confirmed to Via Satellite.
Intelsat received the contract from American in late 2023 to equip 500 regional jets with electronically steered antennas (ESAs) that provide multi-orbit service from both GEO and Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
SES has installed the ESAs on close to 500 aircraft for American Airlines, the company confirmed.
American now joins other major U.S. carriers including United, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest that have adopted Starlink either across the full or partial fleet.
“As a premium global airline, we are continuously seeking out world-class partners like Starlink to deliver what our customers need and want,” said American Airlines Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden. “The addition of Starlink solidifies American as a leading airline in keeping passengers connected in flight.”
