Major commercial airlines are moving forward with major upgrades to their in-flight internet connectivity, prompting heightened competition and occasional public friction among industry leaders and satellite providers.
Elon Musk, whose aerospace company SpaceX operates the Starlink satellite internet network, has publicly criticized the chief executive of Delta Air Lines after the carrier chose alternative providers for its fleet's connectivity needs.
The public dispute underscores the high-stakes battle for dominance in the commercial aviation Wi-Fi market, as airlines race to meet growing passenger demands for fast and reliable internet access at 35,000 feet.
While Starlink has gained traction with several international and domestic carriers by offering high-speed, low-latency broadband through its growing constellation of low-Earth-orbit satellites, other major airlines continue to evaluate multiple technology vendors to suit their specific operational and financial requirements.