While many airlines are adopting Starlink inflight Wi-Fi due to its exceptional speeds, Delta is taking a different approach by opting for Amazon Leo. This decision, in my view, places Delta at a significant disadvantage, given that Amazon Leo is not expected to launch until 2028 at the earliest, and Delta has yet to commit to implementing the service across its fleet.
Although there have been numerous potential explanations for Delta’s choice to forgo Starlink, there’s something we haven’t heard publicly until now…
JonNYC, who is always well-informed, has uncovered comments that Delta CEO Ed Bastian supposedly made at recent company events, specifically in response to questions about Delta’s lack of Starlink implementation. Here’s what Bastian reportedly had to say concerning Starlink and Elon Musk:
re: starlink, Ed stated, “We do not want to be with Elon Musk. Trust me.”
Additionally, at an earlier event, Ed mentioned that DL did test with starlink but chose not to partner with Elon. “If you know his reputation, it’s all true what they say about him.”
I must emphasize that these are comments said to have been made, so I cannot guarantee the authenticity of this information. Nevertheless, JonNYC is known for his credible sources.
Is Bastian truly that principled, or is there more to the story?
I certainly have my views on Musk… I’ll refrain from elaborating. That said, I am a strong advocate for airlines adopting Starlink, simply because it significantly enhances the inflight experience over other available options, and there currently isn’t a competitor capable of matching that.
The airline sector is fiercely competitive, and United plans to have Starlink installed on all aircraft by the close of 2027, well before Delta even introduces next-generation Wi-Fi on a single plane. Regardless of my feelings toward Musk, I value the ability to stay connected while flying, and I certainly don’t blame airline executives for prioritizing their company’s best interests.
I am quite curious about what precisely Bastian’s issue is with Musk regarding the decision of selecting Starlink for the publicly traded airline he manages. Is he truly principled and taking issue with, you know, *gestures broadly*? Bastian has praised certain other individuals in the past, making his current stance seem like an unusual moment for a moral stance.
Or was there an element of the discussions between Delta and Starlink that left Bastian feeling unfavorable? Or is he worried about the long-term sustainability of Starlink for some reason? Or is he merely attempting to preserve his reputation, considering how Musk publicly intervened in Delta’s decision against implementing Starlink?
When I think of Bastian, the word that often comes to mind is “premium,” not “principled.” So, I’m uncertain about how to interpret this…
Bottom line
Delta CEO Ed Bastian has reportedly been partially rationalizing the company’s decision not to adopt Starlink by citing Musk’s behavior and his desire to avoid association with him. On the face of it, I am a bit surprised by how principled Bastian appears to be, yet I have a sense he may just be deflecting, especially since a potential deal with Starlink may have fallen apart for other reasons.
What are your thoughts on Bastian’s alleged remarks about Musk?