Image: Amazon
American Airlines may be weighing a surprising option for its next-generation in-flight Wi-Fi strategy. According to a new Bloomberg report, the carrier has held discussions with Amazon about using its low-Earth-orbit satellite internet service — recently rebranded to Amazon Leo — as it looks to lure premium customers and better compete with U.S. rivals.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom confirmed the talks in an interview with Bloomberg, saying the airline is keeping its options open as satellite connectivity continues to improve across the industry. “While there’s Starlink, there are other low-Earth-orbit satellite opportunities that we can look at,” Isom said.
He added that American has spoken with Amazon but declined to comment on the status of any discussions. “We’re making sure that American is going to have what our customers need,” Isom said. “I do think that there’s going to be advancements and, as that comes, I think that there’s going to be better deals to be had.”
The move is notable given the stark contrast between Amazon’s satellite ambitions and the current scale of SpaceX’s Starlink network. Starlink currently has more than 9,000 satellites in orbit, with coverage spanning over 150 countries and a commercial user base that recently surpassed eight million globally. Amazon’s Leo constellation, formerly known as Project Kuiper, currently has fewer than 200 satellites deployed, though the company plans to eventually scale the network to more than 3,200 units.
That gap isn’t just about numbers — it also reflects a major head start in real-world aviation deployments. Starlink has been rapidly gaining momentum as airlines look to ditch slow, unreliable legacy Wi-Fi systems. High-profile carriers including Emirates, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways and Air France have either rolled out or committed to Starlink-powered connectivity, with several airlines offering the service for free to passengers. Just last month alone, Starlink announced new aviation deals with Emirates and flydubai, followed by a major agreement covering Korean Air and its sister airlines earlier this month.
By comparison, Amazon’s Leo service remains largely unproven at commercial aviation scale. While Amazon has signed customers such as JetBlue and even started previewing commercial service, it has yet to demonstrate the kind of global coverage, throughput, or operational maturity that Starlink is already delivering at 35,000 feet.
American Airlines currently relies on providers like Viasat for onboard connectivity and is set to offer free Wi-Fi to loyalty members starting in January through a partnership with AT&T. Still, as competitors roll out fast, gate-to-gate Starlink internet, the pressure is mounting. Choosing a satellite provider with fewer satellites and limited aviation adoption could put American at a disadvantage — especially as passengers increasingly expect seamless, high-speed connectivity in the air.
With Starlink’s constellation continuing to grow at a rapid pace, and Amazon Leo not even slated to officially launch until early next year — and that too in just five countries at first — American Airlines’ next move could have long-term implications for how well it stacks up against its rivals in the years ahead.
