Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Elon Musk said Delta Air Lines Inc. passed on integrating SpaceX’s Starlink internet because the carrier wanted passengers to use a branded login portal, while Starlink insisted on a seamless connection that works without one.

Musk Says Delta Wanted A Portal

Musk responded on X to a post by Tesla Inc. investor Sawyer Merritt about Delta’s decision, writing, “SpaceX requires that there be no annoying ‘portal’ to use Starlink. Starlink WiFi must just work effortlessly every time, as though you were at home. Delta wanted to make it painful, difficult and expensive for their customers. Hard to see how that is a winning strategy.”

Not exactly. SpaceX requires that there be no annoying “portal” to use Starlink.

Starlink WiFi must just work effortlessly every time, as though you were at home.

Delta wanted to make it painful, difficult and expensive for their customers. Hard to see how that is a winning…

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 13, 2026

Don’t Miss:

Starlink’s airline model, according to the company’s website, emphasizes a direct, portal-free connection, free onboard access and visible Starlink branding. Delta’s Delta Sync strategy, by contrast, centers on a branded digital experience tied to SkyMiles and the airline’s broader customer platform, making the two approaches difficult to reconcile.

Delta Turns To Amazon Leo Instead

Delta ultimately chose Amazon.com Inc’s Leo satellite network. Amazon said Delta will begin installing Leo on 500 aircraft in 2028, offering high-speed, low-latency, gate-to-gate Wi-Fi free for SkyMiles members. Delta reasoned that the agreement builds on its relationship with Amazon Web Services, which already supports parts of the airline’s technology operations.

The choice puts Delta on a different path from rivals that have embraced Starlink. United Airlines Holdings Inc., Southwest Airlines Co, Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaska Air Group have all moved to use Starlink for in-flight internet, with Alaska saying it would begin installing Starlink in 2026 and bring it to its full fleet by 2027.

Trending: Avoid the #1 Investing Mistake: How Your ‘Safe’ Holdings Could Be Costing You Big Time

Starlink Scale Gives SpaceX An Edge

Amazon Leo remains far behind Starlink in scale. Reuters reported Amazon had launched 214 satellites since April 2025 and planned to start commercial service soon in small regions before expanding as its constellation grows. Amazon says Leo has deployed more than 200 satellites, while Starlink has more than 10,000 satellites and over 10 million customers.

Starlink is also central to SpaceX’s expected public listing. SpaceX is targeting a June IPO at a potential $1.75 trillion valuation, while valuation expert Aswath Damodaran estimated that Starlink accounted for about 65% of SpaceX’s 2025 revenue, making the offering, in large part, a bet on satellite broadband rather than rocket launches alone.

Photo: Frederic Legrand – COMEO on Shutterstock.com

Read Next: 

Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market

Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That’s why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, professional financial guidance, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn’t tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry.

Rad AI

RAD Intel is an AI-driven marketing platform helping brands improve campaign performance by turning complex data into actionable insights for content, influencer strategy, and ROI optimization. Positioned within the multi-hundred-billion-dollar digital marketing industry, the company works with global brands across sectors to improve targeting precision and creative performance using its analytics and AI tools. With strong revenue growth, expanding enterprise contracts, and a Nasdaq ticker reserved under $RADI, RAD Intel is opening access to its Regulation A+ offering, giving investors exposure to the growing intersection of AI, marketing, and creator economy infrastructure.

Immersed

Immersed is a spatial computing company building immersive productivity software that enables users to work across multiple virtual screens inside VR and mixed-reality environments. Its platform is used by remote workers and enterprises to create virtual workspaces that reduce reliance on traditional physical hardware while improving focus and collaboration. The company is also developing its own lightweight VR headset and AI productivity tools, positioning itself in the future-of-work and spatial computing space. Through its pre-IPO offering, Immersed is opening access to early-stage investors looking to diversify beyond traditional assets and gain exposure to emerging technologies shaping how people work.

Connect Invest

Connect Invest is a real estate investment platform that allows investors to access short-term, fixed-income opportunities backed by a diversified portfolio of residential and commercial real estate loans. Through its Short Notes structure, investors can choose defined terms (6, 12, or 24 months) and earn monthly interest payments while gaining exposure to real estate as an asset class. For investors focused on diversification, Connect Invest may serve as one component within a broader portfolio that also includes traditional equities, fixed income, and other alternative assets—helping balance exposure across different risk and return profiles.

rHealth

rHealth is building a space-tested diagnostics platform designed to bring lab-quality blood testing closer to patients in minutes rather than weeks. Originally validated in collaboration with NASA for use aboard the International Space Station, the technology is now being adapted for at-home and point-of-care settings to address widespread delays in diagnostic access.

Backed by institutions including NASA and the NIH, rHealth is targeting the large global diagnostics market with a multi-test platform and a model built around devices, consumables, and software. With FDA registration in progress, the company is positioning itself as a potential shift toward faster, more decentralized healthcare testing.

Arrived

Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100. This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly.

Masterworks

Masterworks enables investors to diversify into blue-chip art, an alternative asset class with historically low correlation to stocks and bonds. Through fractional ownership of museum-quality works by artists like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, investors gain access without the high costs or complexities of owning art outright. With hundreds of offerings and strong historical exits on select works, Masterworks adds a scarce, globally traded asset to portfolios seeking long-term diversification.

Lightstone

Lightstone DIRECT gives accredited investors access to institutional-quality multifamily real estate opportunities backed by a vertically integrated operator with more than $12 billion in assets under management and a 40-year track record. With more than 25,000 multifamily units nationwide — including significant exposure to low-supply Midwest markets where rent growth has remained resilient — Lightstone is positioning investors to benefit from tightening housing supply, strong occupancy trends, and long-term rental demand. Through Lightstone DIRECT, individuals can co-invest alongside the firm, which commits at least 20% to each deal, offering exposure to professionally managed multifamily assets designed to generate durable income and long-term appreciation beyond the traditional stock market.

AdviserMatch

AdviserMatch is a free online tool that helps individuals connect with financial advisors based on their goals, financial situation, and investment needs. Instead of spending hours researching advisors on your own, the platform asks a few quick questions and matches you with professionals who can assist with areas like retirement planning, investment strategy, and overall financial guidance. Consultations are no-obligation, and services vary by advisor, giving investors a chance to explore whether professional advice could help improve their long-term financial plan.

Accredited Debt Relief

Accredited Debt Relief is a debt consolidation company focused on helping consumers reduce and manage unsecured debt through structured programs and personalized solutions. Having supported more than 1 million clients and helped resolve over $3 billion in debt, the company operates within the growing consumer debt relief industry, where demand continues to rise alongside record household debt levels. Its process includes a quick qualification survey, personalized program matching, and ongoing support, with eligible clients potentially reducing monthly payments by 40% or more. With industry recognition, an A+ BBB rating, and multiple customer service awards, Accredited Debt Relief positions itself as a data-driven, client-focused option for individuals seeking a more manageable path toward becoming debt-free.

© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.