United Airlines CEO says Starlink is helping win customers; Musk responds
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reports that the integration of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet is successfully attracting customers from rival airlines. Elon Musk confirmed the impact, noting that the service is a significant differentiator for the carrier.
Why it matters
Onboard connectivity is becoming a primary competitive battleground for airlines looking to improve passenger experience and market share.
Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines is already noticing customers switch from rival carriers because of its partnership with Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. According to the remarks made during a CNBC interview and the company's latest earnings discussion, the airline views the rollout as a key competitive advantage. Kirby highlighted that the carrier is expected to cross the milestone of having Starlink installed on more than 50% of its flights this week and that the entire fleet is expected to be equipped with the service by the end of next year, according to a Benzinga report citing the interview. "We already see customers moving from other airlines today," Kirby said when discussing the impact of the onboard internet service.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in