American Airlines will install Starlink satellite internet across its entire mainline fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft, more than doubling the scope of an agreement announced with SpaceX in May 2026.
The expanded program will cover Airbus and Boeing narrowbody aircraft, as well as the airline's Boeing 777 and 787 widebody fleets. Installations are scheduled to begin in early 2027, although American has not announced a completion date.
The original agreement covered more than 500 Airbus aircraft, including the A319, A320, A321neo and A321XLR. The latest decision adds more than 400 Boeing narrowbodies and approximately 130 widebody aircraft.
According to American, its mainline fleet comprises more than 1,030 aircraft. The airline carries over 165 million passengers annually on these jets and expects to receive more than 300 additional mainline aircraft in the coming years.
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The expansion will bring Starlink to American's long-haul international network, including flights across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, which were not covered by the original Airbus-focused agreement.
The airline will use Starlink's Performance Aero Terminal, capable of delivering speeds of up to 1 Gbps per terminal. The system connects aircraft to SpaceX's low-Earth-orbit satellite network and supports internet access throughout flights, including streaming, video calls and online gaming.
American currently uses different connectivity providers across its fleet, including Viasat and SES. The Starlink installation will gradually replace these systems on mainline aircraft.
The airline introduced complimentary Wi-Fi for AAdvantage loyalty program members in January 2026, with AT&T sponsoring the service. American has not announced separate pricing arrangements for Starlink-equipped aircraft.
Regional aircraft remain outside Starlink expansion
American's decision does not include the American Eagle regional fleet, which has its own satellite connectivity program. The airline began installing Intelsat high-speed Wi-Fi on nearly 500 dual-class regional jets in 2024, covering aircraft such as the Embraer E175 and Bombardier CRJ900.
By September 2025, nearly 300 regional aircraft had received the equipment, with American targeting completion across its dual-class regional fleet by early 2026. The airline has not announced plans to replace these systems with Starlink.
Other US carriers have taken different approaches. United Airlines initially concentrated its Starlink installations on regional aircraft, equipping more than 300 United Express jets before expanding the program to its mainline fleet in 2026.
Alaska Airlines has also prioritized smaller aircraft. By September 2026, all 93 Embraer E175s operated by Horizon Air and SkyWest Airlines had received Starlink, alongside Airbus aircraft inherited from Hawaiian Airlines and the first Boeing 737 MAX 8s. Alaska expects to complete installations across its fleet by the end of 2027.
Southwest Airlines began introducing Starlink on its Boeing 737 fleet in 2026, with a target of at least 300 equipped aircraft by the end of the year.
American and SpaceX have not disclosed the financial terms of their expanded agreement.
