Delta Deal Gives Amazon Big Win in Airline Battle Against SpaceX

Delta Air Lines Inc. will use Amazon.com Inc.'s satellites to deliver in-flight Wi-Fi service, a big win for the e-commerce giant's space business as it vies with Elon Musk's Starlink for aviation customers.

Delta agreed to install the Amazon Leo internet service on 500 aircraft starting in 2028, enabling faster and more reliable internet to support streaming video and messaging, according to a Tuesday announcement from the airline.

The partnership deepens competition among carriers hoping to offer faster, free onboard connectivity.

SpaceX's Starlink network, which has more than 9,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit, has made rapid inroads into the aviation market. British Airways, Air France and Emirates are among the airlines that have agreed to use Starlink.

United Airlines Holdings Inc. expects to equip more than 500 mainline aircraft with Starlink Wi-Fi by the end of this year, bringing the total across its fleet to more than 800 planes. Southwest Airlines Co. said it plans to install Starlink on more than 300 jets by the end of 2026.

The popularity of Starlink reflects in part SpaceX's big head start over Amazon, which has a few hundred satellites in orbit for a planned network of more than 3,200. Amazon Leo is expected to begin commercial service in 2026.

Before the Delta announcement, Amazon's only aviation customer for in-flight Wi-Fi was JetBlue Airways.

The faster network "will enable things like the entire plane to be streaming 4K videos, and scenarios where you have people coming from vacation and they wanna upload high-resolution photos, videos, et cetera," Amazon Leo Vice President Chris Weber said in an interview.

Delta currently relies on satellite operators Viasat Inc. and EchoStar Corp.'s Hughes Network Systems to provide connectivity across its fleet. The airline said it will continue working with multiple providers to equip different aircraft with the appropriate technology.

The move is part of a broader race among US carriers to offer faster, free and more reliable Wi-Fi as a way to attract and retain customers. Airlines are increasingly tying connectivity to loyalty programs and premium offerings, turning onboard internet into a key part of the travel experience.

American Airlines Inc. plans to complete the rollout of free Wi-Fi across nearly all of its single-aisle aircraft and regional jets by early spring through a partnership with AT&T Inc.

Delta has been expanding free Wi-Fi across its fleet since 2023, offering the service to SkyMiles members through a partnership with T-Mobile US Inc. The airline said more than 163 million members have used its onboard connectivity to date, as it works to extend coverage across its global network.

"We have almost 1,200 airplanes today with fast free Wi-Fi for our members -- that's been a reality for years," said Ranjan Goswami, Delta's Chief Marketing and Product Officer, in an interview. "Everyone else is sort of just jumping on the bandwagon now."

Delta is open to exploring other opportunities to partner with Amazon in areas such as content, shopping or gaming, he said.