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Delta CEO Defends Choosing Amazon Leo Over Starlink

Delta presents the move as a lower-cost route to faster in‑flight Wi‑Fi.

Overview

  • Ed Bastian said in a Bloomberg interview that Delta chose Amazon’s low‑orbit network for future onboard Wi‑Fi because it undercut Starlink on price.
  • He said the plan targets higher bandwidth and adds access to Amazon Prime and gaming features for in‑flight entertainment.
  • Elon Musk criticized the decision and tied it to a login portal, a claim Delta called inaccurate in a statement to Business Insider.
  • Delta plans to begin installing the Amazon system in 2028 on about half of its fleet.
  • Starlink operates a far larger satellite network and has deals with dozens of airlines, while JetBlue is the only other carrier disclosed for Amazon Leo so far.