Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian is defending the carrier’s decision to choose Amazon Leo over Starlink, arguing that Amazon brings more to the table than just satellite internet and that the price point was more attractive. That does not fully resolve the Starlink question, but it does make Delta’s logic easier to understand.
The decision was especially notable because Starlink is already proven in commercial aviation. United, Alaska, Hawaiian, Qatar Airways, Air France, British Airways, Emirates, and others have all moved toward Starlink or announced plans to use it. United, in particular, is moving quickly and expects to outfit its fleet with Starlink before Delta even begins installing Amazon Leo on its aircraft in 2028.
That makes Delta’s choice look risky. But CEO Ed Bastian is now offering a more complete defense of the Amazon decision, and his explanation (not that you would expect anything less) suggests a deeper in-flight-entertainment relationship with Amazon is coming.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
