Amazon’s Project Kuiper, initiated in 2019 as a competitor to Starlink, is gaining momentum with its first satellite internet agreement with an airline. JetBlue is slated to begin offering Wi-Fi services powered by Project Kuiper starting in 2027.
In April 2024, Amazon successfully launched its initial batch of 27 low-Earth orbit satellites. Since then, the Project Kuiper constellation has expanded to encompass over 100 satellites. This number represents a fraction of the planned 3,200-satellite network. Another Project Kuiper launch is scheduled later this month. Currently, Project Kuiper trails Starlink, which operates a constellation of more than 8,000 satellites.
Amazon’s Panos Panay recently demonstrated a download speed exceeding one gigabit using an “enterprise-grade customer terminal.” The company anticipates that initial customers will begin utilizing the service this year, with a broader rollout slated for 2026. Project Kuiper-powered Wi-Fi will initially be available on select aircraft.
Amazon asserts that its satellites will offer lower latency and more reliable service. These satellites orbit between 367 and 391 miles above Earth, a significantly closer range than geostationary satellites, which orbit at approximately 22,369 miles. Amazon has also partnered with Airbus to integrate Project Kuiper’s satellite internet service into its aircraft.
