Source: Fortune.com
Summary
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian denied having a personal feud with Elon Musk, despite Musk predicting he would lose his job. The comment came as Delta missed earnings for the first time in two years and cut its 2026 profit forecast. Delta chose Amazon Leo over Starlink for in-flight Wi-Fi, citing cost and customer access. Musk accused Delta of making the service difficult for passengers, which Delta denied. United and American have since adopted Starlink, leaving Delta as the only major U.S. carrier without it.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
Delta missed earnings for the first time in two years.
It cut 2026 profit guidance due to rising fuel costs.
Starlink is now on United and American planes, not Delta’s.
CEO says no personal grudge, but the business decision is clear.
Author: Evan Null
Delta’s Earnings Miss and Forecast Cut
Delta Air Lines missed Wall Street earnings estimates for the first time in two years, citing higher fuel costs. The company cut its 2026 profit forecast, with jet fuel expenses rising 62% to $4.1 billion in the September quarter. Despite the miss, Delta reported record revenue of $17.6 billion and a $1.5 billion pre-tax profit. The company expects December-quarter revenue to grow about 20% and full-year earnings of $5.10 to $5.60 per share.
The Starlink Decision and Musk’s Response
Delta chose Amazon Leo over Starlink for in-flight Wi-Fi, starting with 500 aircraft in 2028. Musk criticized the decision, claiming Delta wanted to make the service difficult for passengers. Delta denied the claim, saying it was a business decision. Musk then predicted Bastian would lose his job, prompting Delta’s CEO to deny any personal conflict.
Competitors Adopt Starlink
United and American have both committed to Starlink, with American planning to install it on its entire mainline fleet by 2027. United already signed with Starlink in 2024 and expects full implementation by 2027. This leaves Delta as the only major U.S. carrier without Starlink, despite earlier talks with SpaceX.
Delta’s Explanation for the Decision
Bastian said Delta first engaged with SpaceX six years ago and tested its technology. He claimed the company had disagreements on the business model, particularly regarding customer access. Delta opted for Amazon Leo due to lower costs and better integration with its loyalty program. The CEO also said current Wi-Fi systems would see improvements by year-end.
The Personal Angle and Employee Comments
A reported comment from Bastian to employees that Delta “does not want to be with Elon Musk” added a personal dimension to the dispute. Musk responded by predicting Bastian’s job loss. While Delta has not confirmed the remark, the tension highlights the broader competition among airlines to offer premium in-flight services, with Starlink seen as a key differentiator.
