SpaceX’s Starlink nabs American Airlines contract, another win for its IPO
Key takeaways
- American Airlines said Tuesday it plans to install Starlink on more than 500 narrow-body Airbus aircraft beginning early next year, the latest carrier to pick the Space X unit for inflight Wi-Fi service.
- The deal provides more than just financial lift for Starlink, the satellite communications network and the only Space X business unit that generates meaningful revenue.
- Starlink satellites use a low Earth orbit to provide broadband internet for consumers as well as enterprise customers like American Airlines.
American Airlines said Tuesday it plans to install Starlink on more than 500 narrow-body Airbus aircraft beginning early next year, the latest carrier to pick the Space X unit for inflight Wi-Fi service.
The deal provides more than just financial lift for Starlink, the satellite communications network and the only Space X business unit that generates meaningful revenue. It also hands Space X a win over the competition — such as Amazon Leo and other legacy providers like Viasat.
Starlink satellites use a low Earth orbit to provide broadband internet for consumers as well as enterprise customers like American Airlines. The company has pursued contracts with airlines and cruise operators with some success. United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa Group, British Airways, and Alaska Airlines (which merged with Hawaiian Airlines) have equipped some aircraft with Starlink, according to SpaceX s IPO registration filing that was released last week.