Delta Air Lines CEO has defended the carrier’s decision to select Amazon’s upcoming low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network for future in-flight connectivity after public criticism from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
Delta in late March signed an agreement with Amazon to equip about 500 aircraft with the Amazon Leo system starting in 2028. The airline aims to boost in-flight internet speeds on both domestic and international routes, building on its existing use of Amazon Web Services for a range of technology operations.
Musk, responding to posts on social platform X, accused Delta of making in-flight Wi-Fi less convenient and argued that choosing Amazon over SpaceX’s Starlink would ultimately drive passengers away, saying the airline would lose customers as a result.
Delta’s chief executive has countered that the airline’s choice was based on technology capabilities and pricing, emphasizing the cost and performance advantages tied to the Amazon partnership. Amazon’s Leo system remains under development, with broader deployment expected over the next several years, while Starlink already operates a large constellation of satellites serving aviation and other sectors.