ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines and Amazon signed a long-term agreement Tuesday to bring Amazon Leo high-speed satellite internet to hundreds of Delta aircraft.
The airline will begin the initial installation of the low Earth orbit technology on 500 planes starting in 2028.
The partnership expands on the existing relationship between Delta and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deliver low-latency connectivity for domestic and international flights.
The technology will allow passengers to stream video, upload large files in real time and access personalized digital experiences through the Delta Sync platform.
Amazon Leo utilizes a constellation of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet access. The system is powered by an aviation-grade version of the Leo Ultra antenna, which is a commercial phased array antenna designed for high-speed connectivity.
This network connects directly to global terrestrial infrastructure through AWS. Amazon President and CEO Andy Jassy said the Leo system was built to provide high-speed internet to billions of people who lack reliable access.
Jassy noted that the technology’s impact will extend to businesses, governments and individual consumers.
“It’s going to make the in-flight experience so much better and it’s going to change what’s possible while traveling,” Jassy said.
The new satellite service will integrate with the existing Delta Sync Wi-Fi ecosystem. Delta first launched free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles Members in 2023 through a partnership with T-Mobile. T
he airline has since expanded the service to more than 1,150 aircraft, reaching most of its global network. Transpacific routes for the current Delta Sync system are scheduled to come online in fall 2026.
Delta has a long-standing history with Amazon, having used AWS as its preferred cloud provider since 2020. Over the last six years, the airline has migrated nearly 600 applications to the cloud to modernize its operations.
Along with the new Amazon agreement, Delta maintains existing connectivity partnerships with Viasat and Hughes to provide gate-to-gate service across its fleet.
Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said the deal establishes a long-term foundation for the airline’s digital strategy.
“This agreement will fuel a durable partnership engine that can innovate at scale to keep customers coming back to Delta for years to come,” Bastian said.
Since 2022, Delta has also expanded its digital partnerships to include brands such as American Express, YouTube, Starbucks and Uber.
Delta plans to begin the initial installation of Amazon Leo hardware on 500 aircraft starting in 2028.
The airline will also continue its rollout of existing Delta Sync Wi-Fi, with transpacific routes expected to be active by fall 2026.
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