American Airlines Signs Up for Starlink Wi-Fi Service on Its Flights
American Airlines passengers could begin to connect to in-flight Wi-Fi through SpaceX's Starlink satellite network next year. The airline announced Tuesday that it signed a deal with Elon Musk's aerospace company to install Starlink internet across its Airbus fleet in 2027, which includes more than 500 narrowbody aircraft.
Commercial flights drive heavy internet usage, as passengers work on cloud-based documents or stream movies and TV shows, activities that require substantial data and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity.
Starlink is among the fastest in-flight internet options, with reported speeds nearly twice those of the next-closest competitor and comparable to or faster than some terrestrial broadband services. More than 10,000 satellites in low Earth orbit drive the system's performance. By operating much closer to Earth than traditional satellites, they reduce latency -- the time it takes for data to travel.
CNET senior writer Jeff Carlson tested Starlink's in-flight interneton United Airlines and was...
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