Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Musk Warns Delta CEO Over Amazon Leo Wi-Fi Choice
Delta is an airline deciding which company should provide internet on its planes.
It chose Amazon Leo instead of Starlink, which is owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian said Amazon Leo would provide more internet capacity for less money.
Musk criticized the decision and said Bastian could lose his job.
Amazon plans to build a large satellite network, but its service is not yet operating at Starlink’s current scale.
Starlink already has more than 11,000 satellites and 12 million active users.
Other airlines, including United and American, are moving forward with Starlink.
Those airlines used the disagreement to promote their own services to travelers.
Delta is expected to begin offering Amazon Leo in 2028.
Elon Musk warned Delta CEO Ed Bastian that he could lose his job after Delta chose Amazon Leo over Starlink.
Bastian previously said Amazon Leo offered greater bandwidth at a significantly lower price than Starlink.
Delta plans to introduce Amazon Leo in 2028, while JetBlue plans to begin using it next year.
Amazon plans a network of more than 7,000 satellites but has about 400 in orbit, compared with Starlink’s more than 11,000.
United Airlines and American Airlines promoted their Starlink partnerships as alternatives for travelers amid the dispute.
- Who
- Elon Musk, SpaceX, Delta CEO Ed Bastian, Amazon Leo, and competing airlines including United Airlines and American Airlines.
- What
- Musk criticized Delta’s decision to choose Amazon Leo rather than Starlink for onboard Wi-Fi and warned that Bastian could lose his job.
- When
- Musk issued the job warning on Tuesday and continued promoting Starlink-related criticism on Thursday; Delta’s planned rollout is in 2028.
- Where
- The dispute concerns internet service on commercial airline flights and was discussed on Musk’s social media platform X.
- Why
- Bastian said Amazon Leo offered improved bandwidth at a significantly lower price, while Musk argued for Starlink, which has a larger operating satellite network.
Delta and Amazon Leo
Musk and Starlink
Service selection
Delta and Amazon Leo
Delta chose Amazon Leo, and Ed Bastian said it offered improved bandwidth at a significantly lower price than Starlink.
Musk and Starlink
Elon Musk criticized Delta’s decision and promoted Starlink as the connectivity option used by other major airlines.
Network readiness
Delta and Amazon Leo
Amazon plans a network of more than 7,000 satellites and has agreements with Delta and JetBlue to provide aviation service.
Musk and Starlink
Starlink already has more than 11,000 satellites, 12 million active users, and a larger roster of airlines moving ahead with rollouts.
Competitive airline impact
Delta and Amazon Leo
Delta’s choice reflects airlines’ efforts to improve onboard connectivity and attract high-spending and loyal customers.
Musk and Starlink
United Airlines and American Airlines used their Starlink partnerships and loyalty-program offers to appeal to Delta and American travelers.
- Delta’s selected provider
- Amazon Leo
- Delta rollout
- Planned for 2028
- JetBlue rollout
- Planned to begin next year
- Starlink satellites
- More than 11,000 in orbit
- Starlink users
- 12 million active users
- Amazon Leo satellite plan
- More than 7,000 satellites
- Amazon satellites currently in orbit
- About 400