JetBlue to upgrade Wi-Fi with fast new Amazon-powered satellite service
The first U.S. airline to offer free inflight Wi-Fi to all passengers is giving its on-board service a big upgrade.
JetBlue on Thursday said it will partner with Amazon's Project Kuiper to outfit some of its planes with faster connectivity powered by low-Earth-orbit satellites.
The move will give JetBlue high-speed on-board internet that uses similar satellite technology to Starlink — the high-speed service that's currently available (or soon to be available) on a growing list of U.S. airlines, from United Airlines to Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Passengers on planes equipped with the new technology should be able to work, stream shows and YouTube videos, or perform essentially any other online function they would at home.
The New York-based carrier will be the first airline in the world to sign on to Amazon's new Project Kuiper broadband network, a $10 billion investment that has the company deploying thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit.
The carrier expects to install the higher-caliber service on roughly a quarter of its fleet beginning in 2027.
"This is not just about faster internet — although, yes, it will definitely be faster," JetBlue president Marty St. George said on a call with reporters. "It's about ensuring our customers have the best connectivity possible."
Installations should wrap up by 2028, St. George said. The carrier does not currently have plans to outfit additional planes with the technology. So, as of now, the plan is that the service will be available on about a quarter of JetBlue aircraft.
JetBlue's 'next evolution' of Fly-Fi
JetBlue first deployed its "Fly-Fi" service in 2013, and offered it free to customers long before complimentary on-board connectivity became a distinct trend across the airline industry.
In recent years, Delta Air Lines, United and Hawaiian have moved to add free on-board Wi-Fi. American Airlines said it will make its service free in 2026, and Alaska just announced it will soon do the same. Southwest Airlines has been testing whether its bandwidth can support making its service free for customers.
JetBlue, for its part, has dubbed its Amazon Wi-Fi tie-up the "next evolution" of its Fly-Fi service, which will remain free to customers, the airline confirmed.
"We were the first to do this. We do have a lot of our competitors trying to jump on the bandwagon," St. George said. "We decided if other people are trying to catch up with what we started in 2013, what are we going to do in the 2020s to stay ahead?"
Snappier service
Like many other airlines, JetBlue's current Wi-Fi service relies on geostationary Earth orbit satellite technology, which provides a wide coverage blanket to planes from high above Earth.
However, the speeds can feel slower to users than those of a service powered by low-Earth-orbit satellites, which form constellations to deliver a snappier browsing experience more reminiscent of surfing the internet at home.
JetBlue said this new Wi-Fi deal "in no way" signifies the end of its tie-up with existing provider Viasat.
Across the industry, airlines (and inflight Wi-Fi providers) are increasingly looking at ways to lean on both geostationary and low-Earth-orbit satellites to offer wide coverage and fast service.
Bottom line
JetBlue sees this Wi-Fi upgrade as part of a larger push to offer new services to passengers — investments that, the airline hopes, will drive customer loyalty and help it return to profitability for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.
The carrier expects to debut its first airport lounge later this year at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and introduce a domestic first-class cabin in 2026. Also included in that "JetForward" plan: Blue Sky, a new partnership with United Airlines.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.