Amazon’s Project Kuiper Hits 1.28 Gbps in Test, Strikes Airline Wi-Fi Deal with JetBlue

Amazon has showcased promising early performance from its satellite broadband venture, Project Kuiper, reporting download speeds peaking at 1.28 Gbps during internal trials. The company also announced a partnership with U.S. airline JetBlue, which will begin offering Kuiper-powered in-flight Wi-Fi from 2027.

A demonstration video posted by Rajeev Badyal, vice president of Project Kuiper, showed a speed test averaging 1.18 Gbps, with a peak above 1.28 Gbps, using a server in Oregon. “With our first Kuiper satellites at 630 km, we’ve been able to put the network through its paces,” Badyal said, hinting that uplink results were equally encouraging but not yet disclosed.

Despite the strong numbers, Amazon is still a newcomer in the satellite internet race. Its first operational Kuiper satellites launched only in April, with just over 100 currently in orbit. By comparison, SpaceX’s Starlink has already deployed more than 8,000 satellites. Rival services such as OneWeb, with around 600 satellites, are also ahead in terms of coverage.

JetBlue’s deal highlights Amazon’s ambitions to extend Kuiper beyond households to mobility markets. Until the service is ready, JetBlue will continue relying on its current Wi-Fi provider, Viasat. “With Project Kuiper, we’re working to ensure you have a high-speed connectivity experience wherever you are—at home or 35,000 feet in the air,” said Panos Panay, Amazon’s devices and services chief.

Amazon has said Kuiper will launch commercial services in Australia next year, with additional regions to follow. However, scaling the constellation remains a hurdle. The company has booked launches with Arianespace’s Ariane 6 and SpaceX’s Falcon 9, while its in-house rocket program at Blue Origin has faced repeated delays.

Industry watchers believe Amazon has both the financial muscle and technical expertise to eventually catch up. Yet, success will depend not only on headline-grabbing speeds but also on rapidly expanding coverage to rival established players.