American Airlines says flyers soon will be able to stream and surf the web with Starlink Wi-Fi on its flights into or out of Michigan.
The airline, which operates through several Michigan airports, including Detroit Metro, will roll out the satellite Wi-Fi service on more than 500 of its narrowbody planes starting in early 2027, American Airlines announced in a May 26 release.
“As a premium global airline, we are continuously seeking out world-class partners like Starlink to deliver what our customers need and want,” said American Airlines Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden. “The addition of Starlink solidifies American as a leading airline in keeping passengers connected in flight.”
Here’s what to know about Starlink on American Airlines.
Is American Airlines adding Starlink?
Yes, American Airlines will offer Starlink Wi-Fi on its fleet of more than 500 Airbus jets, the airline said in the release.
“American is committed to elevating every aspect of our customers’ travel journeys, which in the air means keeping them connected and comfortable with the assurance they won’t have to download documents ahead of a flight or worry about lag time,” Garboden said in the release. “Starlink’s high speed and low latency make the Wi-Fi more reliable, which matters when customers are trying to load pages, join real-time collaboration tools or stay connected consistently throughout a flight. We are excited to bring an at-home level of Wi-Fi experience to our narrowbody fleet, enabling our customers to work, game, stream and scroll endlessly.”
When will American Airlines add Starlink to its flights?
While American Airlines didn’t announce a launch date, the airline said Starlink will be offered beginning in the first quarter of 2027.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, intended to offer low-cost internet access to remote areas, per Space.com. There are more than 10,000 Starlink satellites in orbit as of early May, according to astronomer Jonathan McDowell.
Where does American Airlines fly in Michigan?
American Airlines operates with or at the following Michigan airports:
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: American Airlines will offer Starlink. When will it launch?
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, USA TODAY NETWORK / Detroit Free Press
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