Airbus links up with Amazon to provide airlines with satellite connectivity
At this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany, Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amazon to provide its airline customers with satellite inflight connectivity (IFC).
Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which aims to create a constellation of more than 3,200 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, will provide an internet service that offers downlink speeds of up to one gigabit per second (Gbps).
Airbus customers will have the option of using Project Kuiper’s IFC service which the planemaker said will “enrich passengers’ onboard experience and optimize flight operations”.
Airbus and Amazon plan to integrate Project Kuiper’s connectivity solution into the Airbus line-fit and retrofit aircraft catalogue of managed service providers.
“Providing inflight connectivity rivalling that available on the ground is the type of complex challenge well-suited for Amazon and Project Kuiper. By building on our relationship with Airbus, we’ll enable more airlines to offer richer onboard passenger experiences and access critical flight operations information, keeping them at the forefront of the transformation in commercial aviation,” said Chris Weber, VP, Sales and Marketing for Project Kuiper on April 8, 2025.
The two companies said that the partnership will enhance Airbus’ High Bandwidth Connectivity Plus (HBCplus) program.
The addition of Project Kuiper into the future HBCplus solution will reportedly “help airlines meet their passengers’ growing expectations, unlocking faster browsing, HD streaming, and enhanced productivity”.
“We are excited to work together with Amazon’s Project Kuiper, to bring the newest satellite connectivity to the aviation market, harnessing Amazon’s planned constellation of more than 3,200 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Working with Project Kuiper, we plan to provide airlines with an additional choice for an IFC service that addresses the growing demand for fast, low-latency, and reliable inflight connectivity on routes worldwide,” said Tim Sommer, Airbus VP, Head of Connected Aircraft Program.
Project Kuiper is set to send its first full batch of satellites to space on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket on April 9, 2025, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Amazon plans to deploy 27 satellites to an altitude of 280 miles (450 kilometers) above Earth.
“We’ve designed some of the most advanced communications satellites ever built, and every launch is an opportunity to add more capacity and coverage to our network,” said Rajeev Badyal, Vice President of Project Kuiper.
Project Kuiper has secured 80 launches from Arianespace, Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance.
RELATED
Qatar Airways to begin A350 Starlink rollout as Boeing 777 install nears finish
The post Airbus links up with Amazon to provide airlines with satellite connectivity appeared first on AeroTime.
At this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany, Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…
The post Airbus links up with Amazon to provide airlines with satellite connectivity appeared first on AeroTime.
