A communication system for multiple-in-multiple-out (MIMO) communication with an aerial platform includes a service platform and a controller. The service platform includes plural first antennas in MIMO communication with plural second antennas on the aerial platform, a number of the first antennas being greater than a number of the second antennas. The controller is communicatively coupled to the first antennas, ands select a subset of the first antennas, based on information related to the aerial platform, and communicates plural data streams with the aerial platform via the subset of the first antennas that is selected.