Amazon is pushing ahead with its Leo satellite efforts, unveiling a new antenna unit capable of bringing gigabit connectivity to commercial airline passengers.

The aptly named Leo Aviation Antenna is a full-duplex device, meaning it can handle two-way, simultaneous data transmission and reception over a single channel. Affixed to the top of a plane, a sole unit would provide connections for an entire aircraft, supporting download speeds of up to 1 Gb/s and upload speeds up to 400 Mb/s.

Amazon claims a single antenna “provides enough bandwidth for premium connectivity experiences across every seat class” while simultaneously capable of supporting connections for airline crew.

“Amazon Leo can connect a full plane of passengers and crew with speeds that handle any activity seamlessly, whether passengers want to game, watch a movie, listen to music, or collaborate with colleagues on a project,” Trevor Vieweg, director of global business for Amazon Leo, explained in a statement. “We expect our service to be so fast and reliable that passengers will seek out flights featuring Leo connectivity.”

The antenna measures 58-inches long and 2.6-inches high, and is designed to be streamlined so as not to impact aircraft in flight, supporting connections at up to 580 miles per hour.

It uses Amazon’s core Leo Ultra antenna technology, though features no moving parts. Instead, it’s designed to be an electronically steered antenna and can also withstand harsh weather and temperatures.

The system works by linking up with Amazon low-Earth orbit (LEO)satellites. That connection is then pinged to the firm’s network of gateway antennas on the ground to reach the nearest Amazon Web Services (AWS) edge location, which then connects to the internet or a customer’s private network.

Amazon has rapidly sought to build out its satellite network, with the hyperscaler revealing it’s building more than 300 ground gateways around the world to reduce network latency. Those new ground sites will look to steer around historical degradations relating to in-flight connectivity, with connections often falling off when traveling over oceans and remote locales far from gateways. In those areas where its new gateways can’t reach, Amazon claimed its satellites will use “laser links” to transmit data between ground stations, relaying user data to and from the most logical nearby ground gateways.

Vieweg confirmed Amazon has deals in place with airlines, including Delta and JetBlue.

“We’ve thought through every aspect of aviation operations to build an antenna and a service that deliver performance, reliability, and efficiency – and that shows in the Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna and the industry’s response to our technology,” the exec added.

Amazon’s Leo efforts see it look to usurp SpaceX’s Starlink leadership. After renaming Project Kuiper to Amazon Leo, the hyperscaler has sought to add to its already 150 Leo satellites, with plans for several thousand in the coming years.

It's also set to acquire Globalstar in a deal worth $11.57 billion.

Reports had surfaced earlier this month of talks between the pair, with a deal now in place that would see Amazon pick up Globalstar satellites, radio frequency spectrum, and operational expertise.

Apple – which holds a 20% stake in Globalstar – is also set to benefit. As part of the deal, Amazon Leo will power satellite services for iPhone and Apple Watch, including Emergency SOS via satellite.