Key facts
- Airlines are upgrading in-flight Wi-Fi to improve customer experience.
- Many carriers are adopting Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service.
- American Airlines will equip over 1,000 planes with Starlink.
- Delta Air Lines has chosen Amazon's satellite service, Leo, instead of Starlink.
- Elon Musk has publicly criticized Delta's decision and its CEO, Ed Bastian.
Airlines are increasingly upgrading their in-flight Wi-Fi systems to offer faster and more reliable internet access, aiming to attract and retain customers. Many carriers are opting for Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, due to its proximity to Earth, which offers improved performance over older satellite technologies. American Airlines announced this week that it would equip more than 1,000 of its planes with Starlink.
However, not all major airlines are adopting Musk's service. Delta Air Lines has chosen to partner with Amazon's satellite service, Leo, which is not yet available. This decision has drawn criticism from Elon Musk, who has publicly stated that Delta's CEO, Ed Bastian, made an error that could cost him his position. Musk had previously attacked Bastian for not selecting Starlink and had also criticized the CEO of Ryanair for a similar decision.
In an interview with The New York Times, Ed Bastian disputed reports that he had spoken negatively about working with Musk, clarifying that Delta simply decided to pursue a different direction for its in-flight internet. Delta reported a record $20.2 billion in revenue for the third quarter of the year. While Wi-Fi is becoming an expected amenity for passengers, some industry experts suggest it is not the primary factor in airline selection.