Delta Air Lines rejected a partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink for in-flight connectivity following a dispute over branding. Delta insisted on integrating the service into its proprietary Delta Sync portal. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk declined the terms, citing a requirement for a seamless, portal-free user experience.
Delta instead partnered with Amazon’s Project Kuiper low-Earth orbit network. This service is not scheduled to launch until 2028.
The move may place Delta at a competitive disadvantage. Rival United Airlines is already rolling out Starlink service across its fleet.