Overview
- Amazon, which unveiled the low‑profile, electronically steered aircraft antenna Monday, says it can deliver up to 1 Gbps download and 400 Mbps upload to a full cabin.
- The phased‑array unit has no moving parts and is designed for one‑day installation to reduce drag, fuel burn, and maintenance downtime on regional jets and widebodies.
- Amazon says it has agreements with Delta and JetBlue, and industry reporting points to JetBlue aiming for 2027 service and Delta planning an initial 500 aircraft from 2028.
- The company has about 241 Leo satellites in orbit and targets initial services in mid‑2026, with broader airline Wi‑Fi following as satellite density and ground gateways increase.
- Rival Starlink already equips many airlines and advertises lower per‑terminal speeds, and carriers are shifting to multi‑provider setups that will roll out over several years.