Nantonaku

Highly unlikely this is an issue to them. It has to be cost. Delta is also foolish for operating their whole operation on Microsoft computers but they still do.

KSCessnaDriver

My understanding is Starlink was tested against Hughes Net for the RJ/717 wifi update, and Hughes Net won. Read into that what you want.

Trip7

No. Starlink uses Low Earth Orbit Satellites vs Viasat's Geostationary Orbit satellites. Starlink currently has 6,200 satellites and needs at least 10,000 satellites for global coverage. Viasat needs 2 GEO satellites to cover the globe. Each Viasat satellite lasts 15 years. Starlink's satellites last 3-5 years before needing replacement; you can just replace one, but you will need several launches to replace the constellation, which makes it an extremely capital-intensive business. There are plenty of Billionaires blowing Billions in private equity and VC money on LEO systems with no proof of sustainable profit in sight. Viasat has been around for a long time and is cashflow positive. Delta and many other airlines did the math and went with a proven product.

Viasat did have a malfunction on the launch of the 1st of 3 next-gen Viasat-3 satellites, which were planned to provide global coverage of high-speed internet. The antenna malfunctioned, and the satellite only provides 10% of the planned capability. The satellite will be moved to provide coverage to the Middle East and booth bandwidth of the remaining two Viasat satellites to be launched in mid-2025. The antenna malfunction issue was investigated and mitigated for future launches

170Till5

so who does every other international airline use and why do they not have this issue? United, American, Singapore, Lufthansa, BA, etc.?

Gunfighter

Panasonic, which is an outdated system that several of the above carriers are upgrading to Viasat.

Planetrain

I think I saw that scene in Wall-E

Trip7

Not sure what issue you are referring to. If it's international WiFi most airlines are using Panasonic who is slow like GoGo was

FangsF15

That's funny, right there. Nicely done.

170Till5

issue being 0 coverage.. can’t imagine paying lord knows how much for business class on a 16 hour flight with 0 WiFi to Asia / down under

TED74

16 hours disconnected?! Sounds amazing!