Amazon Launches Gigabit Inflight Wi-Fi Antenna for Aircraft
Amazon has introduced a purpose-built antenna for commercial aircraft. As a result, the company enters the inflight connectivity market with its first dedicated hardware. This launch also supports its plan to roll out a low Earth orbit satellite internet service by mid-2026.
High-Speed Performance and Design
The Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna delivers significant performance improvements for onboard connectivity. Specifically, the flat, electronically steered phased array design operates without moving parts. Consequently, it provides full-duplex speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second download and 400 megabits per second upload simultaneously.
Moreover, the system can support every passenger on a flight from gate to gate. In addition, the antenna includes an integrated modem, which enables installation within a single day. Its size remains comparable to existing systems; however, it offers notably higher performance.
“We expect our service to be so fast and reliable that passengers will seek out flights featuring Leo connectivity,” said Trevor Vieweg, director of global business for Amazon Leo.
Partnerships and Network Expansion
At the same time, the company has secured agreements with major airline partners. For instance, Delta Air Lines plans to equip 500 aircraft with this connectivity starting in 2028. Meanwhile, JetBlue Airways will begin installations in 2027 as the first confirmed partner. Additionally, American Airlines has reportedly explored potential collaboration.
The antenna connects to a growing satellite constellation in low Earth orbit. Therefore, it can maintain coverage across oceans, polar routes, and remote regions where connectivity has remained limited.
However, the broader network rollout faces challenges. As of early April, the constellation included 241 satellites, which trails behind SpaceX and its Starlink network of more than 10,000 satellites. Nevertheless, leadership continues to push toward a mid-2026 launch timeline.
Furthermore, the company has requested additional time to meet regulatory requirements for satellite deployment. Even so, it expects around 700 satellites to operate by July 2026, with more than 20 launches planned over the next year.
