Airlines Explore Low-Earth Orbit Satellites Amid Growing Competition

American Airlines is exploring the use of Amazon’s low-Earth-orbit satellite network for in-flight Wi-Fi. The airline has long relied on traditional satellite providers but may be looking to upgrade its connectivity strategy amid growing competition from new entrants like Starlink. According to AeroTime, CEO Robert Isom told Bloomberg that American wants to ensure it offers what its customers need, and the discussions with Amazon signal a notable shift in the airline’s approach to onboard connectivity. A broader commercial rollout of Amazon Leo is targeted for 2026, but details on timelines, service levels, and integration with existing Wi-Fi plans remain unclear.