Key facts
- United Airlines has installed Starlink on over 560 of its airplanes as of mid-September.
- United's offer to match loyalty status is open until October 15.
- United aims to equip all its airplanes with Starlink by the end of next year.
- American Airlines plans to start rolling out Starlink next year on narrow-body airplanes.
- Delta plans to start installing Amazon Leo service on 500 aircraft in 2028.
- Elon Musk predicted Delta CEO Ed Bastian will lose his job over the airline's choice of in-flight Wi-Fi.
United Airlines is actively promoting its adoption of Starlink's satellite internet service, equipping over 560 of its aircraft as of mid-September and aiming for full fleet coverage by the end of next year. The airline is leveraging this technological advantage to attract customers from rivals, particularly Delta Air Lines, by offering loyalty status matches and highlighting its superior Wi-Fi speed.
United's marketing includes a direct jab at competitors, with an offer reading, "Don't keep buffering: switch to United and get the fastest WiFi in the sky." This campaign targets travelers with elite status on Delta or American Airlines, providing them with a 90-day window to earn or retain their status through the end of January 2028 if they switch to United. The offer is open until October 15.
Delta, meanwhile, has opted for Amazon's Leo satellite internet service, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX and Starlink. Musk publicly stated on X that Delta CEO Ed Bastian would "lose his job over this." Delta plans to begin installing Amazon Leo on 500 aircraft in 2028, with its spokesperson citing a lower price point and potential for broader partnerships compared to Starlink. American Airlines has also partnered with Starlink, with plans to roll out the service on narrow-body aircraft starting next year, and has introduced its own loyalty status match program.
While airlines compete fiercely, the practicalities of switching carriers can be a barrier for some travelers due to route networks and hub presence, such as Delta's significant operations in Atlanta.