Delta Air Lines has entered a partnership with Amazon, an agreement aimed at transforming the in-flight internet experience for millions of passengers, in a move both companies say will redefine how people stay connected in the air.
According to a statement made available to The PUNCH by the airline, under the agreement, Delta will deploy Amazon’s low-earth orbit satellite network, known as Leo, across hundreds of its aircraft, beginning with an initial rollout on 500 planes from 2028.
The airline believed that the initiative would significantly improve internet speed, reliability, and onboard digital services.
Delta says the collaboration builds on an existing relationship with Amazon, particularly Delta’s use of Amazon Web Services, and signals pushing for advanced technology integration across airline operations and customer experiences.
The airline stated that passengers can expect faster, more seamless connectivity that supports streaming movies and television shows, listening to podcasts, and real-time communication with friends, family, and colleagues while in flight.
The statement read, “The enhanced service is also designed to allow users to upload photos, videos, and work files instantly, tasks that have traditionally been difficult at cruising altitude.”
Speaking on the development, Delta’s Chief Executive Officer, Ed Bastian, noted that the agreement aligns with the airline’s long-term global ambitions, stressing that “Delta’s future is global.” This agreement gives us the fastest and most cost-effective technology available to better connect the world today.”
He added that the partnership would strengthen customer relationships. “It deepens our work with a global leader that shares our ambition to build what is next, creating even stronger human connection for our people and our customers for years to come,” Bastian noted.
Amazon President and CEO Andy Jassy described the deal as a major step in expanding access to reliable internet connectivity. He stated, “We have designed Leo to provide high-speed internet to millions of people on earth without reliable connectivity. This agreement with Delta shows the scale of that vision.”
Jassy emphasised the growing demand for constant connectivity: “People increasingly want to stay connected wherever they are in the world. Leo’s speed and reliability are going to have a big impact, and they’re going to make the in-flight experience so much better.”
The agreement, according to the statement, also includes plans to integrate AWS, artificial intelligence, and other Amazon technologies into Delta’s operations, with the aim of improving customer experience from booking to arrival.
The statement further read, “When Delta first introduced fast, free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members at CES in 2023, it redefined customer expectations for gate-to-gate connectivity. Delta’s fast Wi-Fi is offered free of charge to SkyMiles members by T-Mobile. Delta has since rapidly scaled the experience across more than 1,150 aircraft with streaming-quality connectivity on board that now reaches nearly all of Delta’s global network, with transpacific routes coming online in autumn 2026. More than 163 million Delta SkyMiles members have connected to Delta Sync Wi-Fi to date, underscoring Delta’s strategy and new industry standard.
“Amazon Leo has a similarly bold mission: delivering fast, reliable internet to customers beyond the reach of existing networks. The system is built around a constellation of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit around the planet and connects directly to global terrestrial networking and infrastructure powered by AWS. Amazon Leo in-flight solutions are powered by an aviation-grade version of its most powerful antenna, Leo Ultra, the fastest commercial phased array antenna in production.
“Along with existing world-class partnerships with Viasat and Hughes, Delta is bringing every SkyMiles Member multi-device, low-latency high-speed Wi-Fi from gate to gate. By working with multiple connectivity leaders, Delta is ensuring it equips the right aircraft with the right technology to serve customers across the globe.”
