American Airlines Set to Launch Starlink Wi-Fi on Hundreds of Planes

American Airlines is set to install SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi on hundreds of its aircraft, with plans for a phased rollout starting in early 2027. As part of this expansion, the airline will be deploying Starlink technology on over 500 planes, including its new Airbus A321XLR and A321neo models. This move marks the latest adoption of Elon Musk’s Starlink service by an air carrier, with several major airlines, including United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Lufthansa Group, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines, already partnering with SpaceX to provide in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity. With this deployment, American Airlines will be joining a growing list of airlines that are turning to Starlink as a primary or supplementary provider for their Wi-Fi services. The airline’s partnership with Starlink is seen as a strategic move to enhance the passenger experience and improve connectivity during flights, although it also comes at a significant investment, with costs reportedly ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per aircraft.