JSX, a short-haul “hop-on jet service,” announced Thursday that it’s inked a deal with SpaceX to become the first air carrier to adopt Starlink for in-flight connectivity services.
- JSX flies between Austin, Burbank, Concord/Napa, Dallas-Love Field, Houston-Hobby, Las Vegas, LA, Monterey/Carmel, Oakland/SF, Orange County, Phoenix, Reno/Tahoe, and San Diego. Its fleet spans 77 Embraer 135s and 145s.
- Starlink aviation service is pending regulatory approval. JSX expects to launch complementary Starlink WiFi in its jets by Q4, CNBC reports.
Aviation blitz? Starlink has been testing aviation terminals for some time now. Earlier this month, Delta CEO Ed Bastian told the WSJ his airline had held talks with SpaceX and conducted exploratory tests of the technology.
And today, CNBC reported that Hawaiian will launch Starlink-based complimentary internet service as early as next year. It’s the first major airline to sign up for the service.
Sizing up the market: In 2021, Euroconsult found that ~9,000 aircraft across 115 airlines were equipped with in-flight connectivity (IFC) terminals—and that 80% were connected through satellite-based systems. By the end of the decade, the market research firm estimates that the number will reach between 16,000 and 20,000 connected aircraft.
