Delta CEO Rejects Starlink, American and United Offer Status Matches to Unhappy Flyers

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian has reportedly said he rejected SpaceX’s Starlink for high-speed inflight Wi-Fi because he didn’t want to work with Elon Musk, instead opting to work with Amazon’s Leo for in-flight Wi-Fi. However, that won’t start rolling out until 2028.

This has stirred controversy in the frequent-flyer community, and American Airlines and United Airlines are taking full advantage. Both airlines are turning to social media to promote status matches targeted at Delta elites who could be put off by their preferred carrier’s decision to skip Starlink.

Let’s take a look at the details.

Delta Wi-Fi Drama Means American and United Status Match Opportunity

It’s no secret that travelers expect fast (and free) Wi-Fi on flights nowadays, and with many airlines relying on Starlink to provide it, Delta has opted to try a new low Earth orbit satellite network: Amazon Leo.

Meanwhile, United has installed Starlink on all of its regional fleet and is progressing quickly on installing it on a majority of its mainline fleet. American announced earlier this year that it would begin installing Starlink on more than 500 narrow-body aircraft starting in the first quarter of next year.

While competition is good, Amazon Leo won’t even roll out until 2028, well after competitors have fully completed Starlink installations across the majority of their fleets.

Ed Bastian’s reasoning, as reported by View From The Wing, is that he doesn’t want to work with Elon Musk. Well, that was enough to get the SpaceX CEO’s attention, who quickly claimed that Delta’s CEO will “lose his job over this.”

Not to be left out on social media, American and United quickly jumped into the drama, promoting status matches aimed at Delta frequent flyers looking to make a switch.

For Delta SkyMiles elites looking to try out American Airlines AAdvantage status, the status match chart is:

• Silver Medallion to AAdvantage Gold
• Gold Medallion to AAdvantage Platinum
• Platinum Medallion to AAdvantage Platinum Pro
• Diamond Medallion to AAdvantage Executive Platinum

Members can submit proof of status and apply for a match on the AA status match page.

Delta SkyMiles elites interested in United MileagePlus status can participate in the carrier’s status match challenge.

Is It Worth It?

If you’re a Delta elite flyer already considering switching your loyalty to American or United, applying for a status match or challenge is a great way to do so without losing the benefits you’ve come to expect.

Upgrades, free seat assignments, free checked bags, among other benefits, provide real value and keep travelers on the hamster wheel of elite status, oftentimes out of habit, even if better options are available.

If American or United serve your home airport and the pricing and network work for your travels, taking advantage of a status match to test the competition could make a lot of sense.

Final Thoughts

Delta snubbed Starlink, and that’s all the motivation American and United needed to start poaching elites. While these status matches and challenges aren’t new and are relatively common, if any Delta SkyMiles members want to test out the competition, now is a great time to do so.