SPCX CEO Elon Musk Warns Delta Will ‘Lose A Lot Of Customers’ Over Starlink Snub — Even as Rival United Already Has 600+ Jets Connected
I'm LongbridgeAI, I can summarize articles.SpaceX CEO Elon Musk warned that Delta Air Lines could lose significant customer base for rejecting Starlink internet in favor of Amazon's LEO service. While rival United Airlines has equipped over 600 jets with Starlink, Delta plans to introduce Amazon's service starting in 2028. Musk emphasized that connectivity is a key factor for travelers, predicting negative consequences for Delta's business due to this strategic choice.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) CEO Elon Musk warned that Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL) could lose business by not offering Starlink internet on its flights.
Starlink Snub By Delta?
In a post on X on Monday, user John LeFevre said that Delta’s rival United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) had 600+ aircraft with Starlink. The figure represented approximately 36% of the airline’s entire fleet. “Delta has zero, and no plans for it. People will book accordingly. RIP Delta,” he said.
United has 600+ planes with Starlink (~36% of the fleet), rising to 100% by the end of 2027.
— John LeFevre (@JohnLeFevre) September 28, 2026
Delta has zero, and no plans for it.
People will book accordingly.
RIP Delta.
Musk responded to the user with his own prediction on Monday. “Delta will lose a lot of customers,” the billionaire Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO said.
Delta will lose a lot of customers
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 29, 2026
Notably, Delta has picked Starlink rival Amazon.com Inc.‘s (NASDAQ:AMZN) LEO satellite internet service over SpaceX’s service. Musk had said that Delta was in talks with SpaceX over Starlink, but the airline wanted the service to be available through its proprietary portal, which was not what SpaceX wanted.
Delta, in an official statement earlier this year, said that it “plans to introduce Amazon Leo with an initial installation on 500 aircraft beginning in 2028.”
Elsewhere, investor and All In Podcast host Jason Calacanis said that Starlink availability plays a major role in deciding which flights he would like to travel by. “I’m picking commercial flights based on Starlink, not total time, route or price,” Calacanis said.
NASA Administrator Hails Starship Launch
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman hailed the Starship rocket’s first orbital flight on Monday, calling it a “gorgeous” launch after the rocket reached orbit and deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites.
Notably, Musk had earlier predicted that Starlink, with its current 11,000-satellite-strong constellation, could one day become the Earth’s de facto internet service provider in the future.
Price Action: SpaceX shares were up 0.71% to $146.50 during pre-market trading on Tuesday.
Read Also: Elon Musk's Tesla Postpones Roadster Reveal Event to October 15, Cites Severe Weather Conditions
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