{
  "id": 14700817,
  "title": "Delta scores a small win in the airline WiFi wars",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/delta-scores-a-small-win-in-the-airline-wifi-wars",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-15T12:39:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-air-lines-notches-small-win-airline-wifi-wars-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Delta Air Lines has secured a slight advantage in the airline WiFi competition on transpacific routes. The carrier's decision to avoid using Elon Musk's Starlink technology has drawn criticism, but its current WiFi provider, ViaSat, has recently launched a new satellite for the Pacific region. This satellite could potentially give Delta an edge over rivals such as United on long-haul flights from the US to Asia. Delta Air Lines has faced significant criticism for its lack of Starlink internet, but it is set to receive an upgrade this month. Elon Musk had suggested that CEO Ed Bastian should lose his job for choosing to use Amazon Leo instead of Starlink, with installation expected to begin in 2028. United Airlines has also responded to Delta's situation by offering loyalty program status matches, stating, \"Don't keep buffering: switch to United and get the fastest WiFi in the sky.\" However, there may be specific flights where Delta's WiFi is superior. United Airlines was one of the first to sign up for Musk's satellite internet service in 2024, and it has been rapidly installing Starlink terminals on its aircraft. Currently, Starlink is equipped on more than 40% of United's fleet, including over 1,600 airplanes. Despite this, only six of United's 244 wide-body airplanes can currently use Starlink. United's Boeing 787-9s are still awaiting Federal Aviation Administration certification for Starlink usage. Delta, on the other hand, currently relies on Viasat's internet service. While Viasat's satellites orbit at roughly 22,000 miles above the equator, they offer over 1 terabit per second of capacity, with the latest satellite (VS-3) launched in April. As a result, Delta's free Delta Sync WiFi service will be available for Pacific routes starting this month. Some travelers have praised Delta's WiFi speed, with one posting on X stating that it will be faster than United's aircraft on transpacific flights. Delta's victory in the airline WiFi wars is a small one, but United's rapid installation of Starlink suggests it will maintain its lead before Amazon Leo becomes available.",
  "summary": "Delta Air Lines attracted critics by shunning Elon Musk's Starlink. It's now getting faster speeds over the Pacific thanks to Viasat's F3 satellite.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Insider",
        "title": "I preferred flying Delta until I tried United's Starlink WiFi. It felt almost magical.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/i-preferred-flying-delta-until-i-tried-uniteds-starlink-wifi-it-felt",
        "published": "2026-10-15T09:08:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}