TechTECH FEUD

Musk attacks Delta's chief over Wi-Fi pick; Starlink not chosen

Delta Airlines chose a competitor's in-flight Wi-Fi service over Starlink, prompting the SpaceX owner to publicly criticize the airline's chief executive.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on The Midday Show
Published 12:35 PM ET, Monday, October 12, 2026

Photo: Delta Air Lines — Photo: N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by The New York Times: “Elon Musk, Delta Airlines and a Feud Over In-Flight Wi-Fi”.
Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 12:35 PM ET on The Midday Show, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.
Topics: Wi-Fi, Starlink, American Airlines, Elon Musk.
BBN covered this story before: Wi-Fi can now detect people in your home, and Steelers-Colts stats… (October 12).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The New York TimesElon Musk, Delta Airlines and a Feud Over In-Flight Wi-Fi

What BBN said about it

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe new fact today is that Elon Musk has attacked the top executive at Delta Air Lines because Delta did not pick Starlink, which his company SpaceX owns, for in-flight Wi-Fi.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA billionaire is feuding with an airline over who gets to power your TikTok at thirty-five thousand feet, and I have never felt more seen as a passenger.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentYou are a passenger who will still be watching a loading circle over Nebraska.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe question is whether the Wi-Fi works, and a fight about it doesn't tell us.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentPut the feud on the seat-back screen. Row twelve would pay extra for that.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentPlus, I'm keeping a list of your mistakes, and that one is a business plan.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentFine, but the feud streams perfectly. It's the only thing on the plane that loads instantly.