It\u2019s more than double the number of aircraft the company quoted earlier this year.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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![\"American](\"https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/img\/gallery\/american-airlines-is-bringing-starlink-wi-fi-to-its-entire-mainline-fleet-in-2027\/intro-1791478556.jpg\")
\n <\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n Markus Mainka\/Shutterstock<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
American Airlines will equip its entire fleet of mainline aircraft with Starlink Wi-Fi starting next year, promising speeds of up to 1Gbps via the satellite network’s Performance Aero Terminal.<\/p>\n
SpaceX had previously<\/a> signed a contract with American, but back in May the number was 500 aircraft. Today’s announcement<\/a> more than doubles that, with American’s mainline fleet (including all narrowbody and widebody aircraft) totaling at more than 1,030.<\/p>\n The commitment means that American’s more than 165 million annual customers should be able to expect fast and reliable satellite Wi-Fi during a flight, much more so than previous methods allowed. American appears to have pivoted from a Wi-Fi strategy that last year saw it agree a deal<\/a> with AT&T to bring high-speed Wi-Fi to its AAdvantage loyalty program members.<\/p>\n Despite losing<\/a> out to Amazon Leo in the battle for Delta’s signature earlier this year, SpaceX and Starlink appear to be winning the broader in-flight satellite Wi-Fi race right now. The former’s rollout won’t begin until 2028, and Starlink’s deal with American adds to the 724 United Airlines aircraft already running its service. That represents<\/a> around 41 percent of its fleet. Globally, Starlink has now partnered with 48 airlines.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n