Delta Air Lines has reached an agreement with Amazon to equip 500 of its aircraft with Amazon Leo satellite internet, the airline said on Tuesday. The installations will begin in 2028 and initially focus on domestic, narrow-body planes from Boeing and Airbus.
Amazon Leo - named for low Earth orbit - is being positioned to bring higher-speed, more reliable connectivity to passengers, supporting services such as streaming video and messaging during flights. Chris Weber, vice president of Amazon Leo, said the system’s faster speeds stem from satellites operating closer to Earth than some alternatives.
Weber noted that Amazon Leo is concentrating on expanding its satellite constellations. The program has about 200 satellites in orbit now and has hundreds more already manufactured and awaiting launch.
The Delta announcement represents a significant customer acquisition for Amazon’s space unit at a time when airlines are increasingly upgrading onboard internet offerings. Carriers have been rolling out faster in-flight Wi-Fi and, in several cases, are making connectivity free for members of loyalty programs as they vie for travelers. Some airlines are also exploring ways to monetize captive onboard audiences through targeted advertising and potential shopping experiences.
Amazon’s agreement with Delta increases competition in the aviation connectivity market, where SpaceX’s Starlink has already established a strong presence. Starlink operates a network of more than 9,000 low-Earth-orbit satellites and has been adopted by several carriers. United Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have begun offering Starlink-based Wi-Fi onboard, and other international carriers including British Airways, Air France and Emirates have also reached agreements to use Starlink.
Prior to the Delta deal, JetBlue Airways was Amazon Leo’s sole aviation customer for in-flight Wi-Fi. The Delta contract therefore expands Amazon Leo’s footprint in commercial aviation significantly.
Separately, American Airlines has been reported to be weighing a return of seat-back entertainment screens on narrow-body aircraft and could select either SpaceX’s Starlink or Amazon Leo to deliver content, including Amazon Prime programming. That decision may be announced soon, according to reports.
Sector implications
- Commercial aviation - Airlines are accelerating in-flight connectivity upgrades and exploring revenue opportunities tied to passenger engagement.
- Satellite services - The contract highlights intensifying competition between satellite constellations for aviation customers.
- Technology and content delivery - Decisions by carriers on connectivity providers affect how streaming and messaging services are delivered in-flight.
Background metrics and scale
The agreement covers 500 aircraft with installations starting in 2028. Amazon Leo currently reports approximately 200 satellites in orbit and has hundreds more manufactured for future launches. SpaceX’s Starlink constellation is noted to exceed 9,000 satellites in low Earth orbit.
Details on service positioning
Amazon Leo representatives emphasize proximity to Earth for its satellites as a driver of improved speed and reliability. Delta has chosen to deploy the service on domestic-focused narrow-body Boeing and Airbus aircraft, reflecting the carrier’s initial rollout strategy.