Delta Partners with Amazon for WiFi on 500 Aircraft

Delta Air Lines announced a multiyear partnership with Amazon on Tuesday to equip 500 of its aircraft with the company's Leo satellite internet service, aiming to deliver high-speed inflight WiFi starting in 2028. The deal covers about half of Delta's fleet, including narrowbody jets for domestic routes such as Boeing 737s and Airbus A321s, and extends to international flights across more than 300 destinations.

The Leo system, which relies on low-Earth orbit satellites positioned about 370 miles above the planet, promises download speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second and upload speeds of up to 400 megabits per second. Each aircraft will feature a single purpose-built phased-array antenna designed for aviation, enabling low-latency connectivity from gate to gate. Amazon stated that the service will allow passengers to stream videos, play games, upload content, and work as seamlessly as on the ground, with shared capacity across the plane. For Delta SkyMiles members, the WiFi will be free, building on the airline's existing commitment to complimentary access for loyalty program participants.

Delta's decision deepens its longstanding collaboration with Amazon, which began in 2020...