Elon Musk has reignited criticism of Delta Air Lines after the carrier chose Amazon’s Leo satellite service for in‑flight WiFi instead of his Starlink network.
Responding to posts on X from passengers who said they booked United Airlines flights to access Starlink, Musk warned, “I told them. It will get much worse.”
Ed Bastian Defends Delta’s Cheaper WiFi Deal
Delta announced its deal with Amazon Leo in May, citing lower costs and improved bandwidth compared to Starlink. CEO Ed Bastian also pointed to the potential for a broader partnership with Amazon beyond connectivity.
Leo currently operates fewer than 400 satellites but plans to expand to over 3,000, with service on JetBlue beginning next year and Delta scheduled for 2028.
By contrast, Starlink already has more than 10,000 active satellites and agreements with 43 airlines, including United and American. United has equipped over 400 planes with Starlink, aiming for nearly 1,000 by year‑end. American plans to launch service in early 2027.
Musk has previously clashed with other airline leaders, including Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary, over Starlink adoption.
While there is little evidence of widespread customer defection from Delta, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell noted one airline reported passengers choosing layovers to fly on Starlink‑equipped routes.
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