American Airlines announced today that it will begin installing SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service on more than 500 narrowbody aircraft starting in early 2027, part of a major effort by the carrier to upgrade its inflight customer experience.

The Fort Worth-based airline said the rollout will initially focus on its Airbus narrowbody fleet, including newly delivered A321XLR and A321neo aircraft used on domestic and short-haul international routes.

The airline said Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellite network is expected to provide significantly faster and more reliable internet service than traditional inflight Wi-Fi systems, allowing passengers to stream video, play online games, browse the internet and use collaboration tools during flights. The company said Starlink’s Aero Terminal technology can support speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second per antenna.

Garboden said the upgraded service is intended to provide passengers with an “at-home level” internet experience in the air, eliminating concerns about lag time or needing to download documents before boarding.

Financial terms of the agreement between American Airlines and SpaceX were not disclosed.

The announcement comes as airlines worldwide race to improve onboard connectivity amid rising demand for premium travel experiences following the COVID-19 pandemic. Several major carriers, including United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines, have also announced plans to deploy Starlink across portions of their fleets.

American currently offers complimentary Wi-Fi to members of its loyalty program on most flights through a partnership with AT&T. The airline said the Starlink installation is part of a broader effort to modernize its fleet during its centennial year in 2026.

There are currently about 10,000 Starlink satellites in orbit that connect more than 3 million customers in 100 countries, according to the company.