Anabelle Colaco
27 May 2026

FORT WORTH, Texas: American Airlines said on May 26 that it plans to equip more than 500 narrow-body aircraft with Starlink in-flight internet service beginning in early 2027, expanding the use of satellite-based Wi-Fi as airlines compete to offer faster onboard connectivity.

The airline said the rollout will cover domestic flights and short-haul international routes. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

The move comes as airlines increasingly invest in improving onboard internet services to attract travelers, particularly as demand for premium travel remains strong in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.

American Airlines currently offers complimentary Wi-Fi to members of its loyalty program on nearly all flights through a partnership with AT&T.

As of the end of March, the carrier operated a mainline fleet of 1,022 aircraft, including 885 narrow-body jets.

Starlink, the satellite internet business owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has rapidly expanded its presence in the aviation industry over the past few years.

The broadband unit has become an increasingly important source of revenue for SpaceX as the company prepares for a widely anticipated stock market listing. It was previously reported that Starlink was the only profitable division within SpaceX in 2025.

Several major airlines have already signed agreements with Starlink to provide in-flight connectivity.

Those carriers include Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines in the United States, as well as international airlines such as Singapore Airlines and Emirates.