Delta just announced a new partnership with Amazon to bring faster, next-generation satellite Wi-Fi to its planes … but travelers shouldn’t expect big improvements anytime soon.
The airline says it plans to install Amazon Leo satellite internet on 500 aircraft, beginning in 2028. That delayed timeline is the most important detail: While Delta is pitching a major upgrade to the in-flight experience, competitors are already rolling out similar – and in some ways superior – technology today.
United Airlines has begun installing SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet, with dozens of aircraft expected to be outfitted in months and years ahead. Meanwhile, other carriers like Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and British Airways are all moving in the same direction. By contrast, Delta’s upgrade is still years away from even getting off the ground.
Amazon Leo is Delta's response to the Starlink arms race. The airline will tap into Amazon's constellation of thousands of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, the airline says.
Delta was one of the first movers in the free airplane Wi-Fi race, installing free Wi-Fi on more than 1,000 planes over the past few years. Now, the company boasts that more than 163 million SkyMiles members have connected to the free Wi-Fi to date. Coincidentally, JetBlue – the first airline to offer passengers free Wi-Fi – announced a partnership with Amazon last year, making Delta the second high-profile carrier to add its services.
When it arrives, the new system should deliver significantly faster speeds and more reliable connections than Delta currently offers. Like Starlink, Amazon's Leo satellites orbit much closer to Earth than traditional systems, which typically means lower latency, faster browsing, and a better shot at streaming video or staying connected gate-to-gate without disruptions.
Delta's existing relationships with Viasat and Hughes, which currently power the airline's Wi-Fi, aren't going anywhere in the meantime. Again, the introduction of Amazon Leo doesn't start until 2028, and even then, hundreds of planes will still be operating on the Hughes and Viasat networks long after that.
Beyond faster Wi-Fi, Delta says it will tap Amazon’s broader tech – including AWS and AI – to improve the onboard experience, from more personalized entertainment to smoother, more reliable digital services. The airline also expects these tools to quietly improve operations behind the scenes, potentially leading to fewer delays and a more seamless travel day overall.
Bottom Line
Delta signed a new agreement with Amazon to bring Amazon Leo satellite internet to 500 of its planes starting in 2028.
Delta was early to the free in-flight Wi-Fi arms race, and this agreement will usher the carrier into the high-speed satellite internet future being championed by competitors with Starlink.
