Airline onboard internet is in the middle of a major upgrade cycle, and it is being driven by one big shift: moving more aircraft connectivity from traditional satellite systems to LEO (low Earth orbit) satellite networks.

A recent report says American Airlines has held discussions with Amazon about using Amazon Leo (Amazon’s LEO satellite internet service, previously known as Project Kuiper) to power onboard WiFi. While nothing is finalized, the fact that American is exploring options shows how quickly the in-flight connectivity market is evolving.

Key takeaways

• American Airlines is reportedly exploring Amazon Leo as an in-flight WiFi option.
• Airlines want faster speeds, lower latency, and better reliability than older systems.
• LEO is becoming the new standard for “streaming-ready” onboard internet, with Starlink already winning airline deals and Amazon Leo positioning itself as a serious alternative.

What’s being reported

American Airlines leadership indicated the airline is in discussions with Amazon about bringing Amazon Leo satellite internet onboard, noting there are multiple LEO options in the market beyond Starlink. The theme is straightforward: airlines want better connectivity and better economics as competition heats up.

This is not the same as an announced rollout. Think of it as a strong signal that American is keeping its options open as the technology and pricing continue to improve.

Quick refresher: What is Amazon Leo?

Amazon Leo is Amazon’s LEO satellite internet service, rebranded from Project Kuiper. Like Starlink, it uses a constellation of satellites much closer to Earth than older geostationary satellite systems, which can reduce latency and improve responsiveness.

Amazon has also been highlighting customer hardware designed for high-performance use cases, including terminals intended to support very high throughput as the service expands.

For airlines, the headline is not just raw speed. It is the combination of:

• Lower latency (more “real-time” feeling)
• More consistent performance for modern apps
• A path to better coverage and capacity as constellations grow

Why airlines are pushing hard on LEO right now

If you have ever tried to do “real work” on plane internet and hit the wall, you already know the problem. Passengers now expect:

• Video calls that do not instantly fall apart
• Streaming that is not a slideshow
• VPN and collaboration apps that stay connected
• Multi-device usage (laptop plus phone plus tablet)

LEO networks are a better fit for those expectations, especially as airlines look to make WiFi a loyalty perk and a competitive differentiator.

How this connects to Starlink, and why “multi-supplier” matters

Starlink has been aggressive in aviation, and major airline partnerships have already pushed the bar higher for passenger expectations. American’s reported talks reinforce what the market is doing: airlines are actively shopping LEO providers, comparing performance, installation timelines, pricing models, and long-term service viability.

It would not be surprising to see airlines pursue:

• One provider for most routes, another for specific fleets
• Hybrid strategies that combine multiple networks for redundancy
• Contract structures tied to passenger experience targets and performance guarantees

The real-world constraints: it is not “flip a switch”

Even when a provider is chosen, rolling out a new in-flight connectivity system takes time because airlines must handle:

• Aircraft antenna and hardware installs
• Certification and fleet scheduling (planes are not sitting still)
• Network tuning by route, altitude, and congestion patterns
• Portal and customer experience integration (free vs paid, tiers, loyalty logins, etc.)

So the headlines may move fast, but the operational rollout typically happens in phases.

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