American Airlines will install Starlink on more than 1,000 of its mainline aircraft, doubling down on the high-speed internet service before installation had even rolled out on its Airbus fleet.
In May, American said that it would install Starlink on more than 500 of its Airbus aircraft. The installations will now include American’s widebody aircraft, such as the Boeing 777-300ER, which is used for long-haul international flying. Starlink installations will begin early next year, according to the airline.
“Our customers have told us that dependable connectivity can make a meaningful difference in how they spend their time in the air,” American Airlines chief customer officer Heather Garboden said in a statement. “Whether they are livestreaming a favorite show, gaming, collaborating in real time on an important work deal, scrolling social media or online shopping, Starlink will give our customers countless options to make the most of their time while traveling. Just as importantly, it provides the foundation for future innovations that will further enhance the customer experience.”
Starlink uses satellite constellation technology in a low Earth orbit to bring high-speed internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more, according to the company’s website. The service is operated by SpaceX, the Texas-based aerospace company founded by Elon Musk.
Because of customers’ demand for increased connectivity, airlines are racing to complete Starlink installations as fast as possible. Dallas-based Southwest Airlines expects to have the service installed on more than 300 aircraft by the end of the year, it previously said. Other airlines like United Airlines and Frontier are also turning to Starlink.