Amazon Unveils New Leo Aviation Antenna Offering Gigabit In‑Flight Connectivity

Amazon has introduced its new Leo Aviation Antenna, a low‑profile, electronically steered system designed to deliver gigabit‑class in‑flight connectivity for commercial airlines. The antenna, part of Amazon’s developing low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, will provide download speeds of up to 1 Gbps and upload speeds of 400 Mbps, enabling high‑performance internet access for passengers and crew from gate to gate.

The full‑duplex phased‑array antenna is engineered to support an entire aircraft with a single unit, offering enough bandwidth for streaming, gaming, video calls, and collaboration tools across all seat classes. Amazon says the system is designed to maintain performance at cruising altitude, on the ground, and during all phases of flight.

Trevor Vieweg, Amazon Leo’s director of global business, said the company expects passengers to actively seek out flights equipped with the new service due to its speed and reliability.

Purpose Built for Aviation Operations

Although the antenna shares core technology with Amazon’s Leo Ultra system, the aviation variant has been redesigned to meet the operational demands of commercial aircraft. The unit features no moving parts, reducing maintenance requirements, and is built to withstand harsh weather and temperature variations.

Key design elements include:

• A low-drag profile measuring 58 × 30 × 2.6 inches

• Integrated modem and simplified mounting

• Single‑day installation capability

• Aviation grade connectors for power and cabin systems

The streamlined design aims to minimize fuel impact while simplifying airline integration.

Global Coverage, Including Remote and Polar Routes

The antenna connects to Amazon’s LEO satellites, handing off seamlessly between spacecraft as the aircraft travels at roughly 580 mph. Data is routed through a growing network of more than 300 planned ground gateways, supported by AWS’ global fiber backbone.

For remote regions, oceans, and polar routes areas where traditional connectivity often degrades, Amazon’s satellites will use laser inter-satellite links to relay data efficiently across the constellation.

Airline Interest Already Building

Amazon says it has already secured agreements with Delta Air Lines and JetBlue, with further details on service rollout expected in the coming months. The company is also preparing to accelerate satellite production and launch cadence as it moves toward initial service availability.