The airline, which introduced its free “Fly-Fi” system back in 2013, will begin fitting a portion of its fleet with Project Kuiper technology from 2027. The low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation is designed to deliver faster, more reliable internet connections for passengers from take-off to landing.
JetBlue president Marty St George said the deal would cement the airline’s reputation as a leader in onboard connectivity.
“Our agreement with Project Kuiper marks an exciting leap forward for us as the hands down leader in onboard connectivity,” he said. “Whether it’s binge-watching a favourite show, staying connected with loved ones, or wrapping up a work project, we’re always looking for ways to make our customers’ time in the air as connected and productive as they want it to be.”
The partnership forms part of JetBlue’s broader “JetForward” strategy, aimed at strengthening customer experiences through speed, simplicity and service.
Amazon Devices & Services senior vice president Panos Panay said Project Kuiper’s global reach would soon extend into the skies.
“Staying connected is part of everyday life, even when you’re travelling,” Panay said. “With Project Kuiper, we’re working to ensure customers can enjoy fast, reliable internet wherever they are – at home or 35,000 feet in the air – and we’re excited to bring that to life with JetBlue.”
Project Kuiper is Amazon’s answer to growing global demand for broadband. It will eventually comprise thousands of satellites orbiting closer to Earth than traditional systems, linked by high-speed optical connections to create a space-based mesh network. This in turn will connect to a ground-based network of antennas and fibre, delivering low-latency, high-speed coverage.
More than 100 satellites have already been launched, with production and deployment continuing ahead of the commercial service launch.
JetBlue currently uses geostationary Earth orbit satellite technology to provide Fly-Fi, which remains the only free, high-speed inflight Wi-Fi available across every aircraft in a major US airline’s fleet. The Project Kuiper rollout will replace some of this with LEO satellites, but the company is also considering a hybrid “multi-orbit” approach in future to combine the strengths of both systems.
The Kuiper rollout is scheduled to begin in 2027, with further details on the installation program, affected routes and aircraft types expected closer to the date.