Airlines are investing a lot of money in inflight connectivity nowadays, with Starlink Wi-Fi being the most popular new service. Along those lines, Southwest Airlines has just made an exciting announcement, which passengers will no doubt be happy about.
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Southwest rapidly installing Starlink Wi-Fi fleetwide
Southwest Airlines is partnering with SpaceX, to introduce Starlink Wi-Fi throughout its fleet of Boeing 737s.
The airline expects pretty fast rollout — the first Starlink-equipped plane should be in service this summer, and the system will be available on more than 300 aircraft by the end of 2026. Presumably most planes will have the service by the end of 2027. For what it’s worth, Southwest has a fleet of over 800 737s, with another 500+ on order.
Starlink is known for its high-speed, low-latency broadband internet, and the service is offered gate to gate. Southwest highlights how Starlink Wi-Fi allows for live streaming, productivity similar to on the ground (with high upload and download speeds), gaming, e-commerce, support for multiple devices, and more.
Starlink is becoming increasingly popular on airlines. So far we’ve seen carriers like airBaltic, Air France, Air New Zealand, British Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Korean Air, Lufthansa Group, Qatar Airways, SAS, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and WestJet, all announce plans to install the service.
Here’s how Southwest Airlines’ Chief Customer & Brand Officer, Tony Roach, describes this development:
“Free WiFi has been a huge hit with our Rapid Rewards Members, and we know our Customers expect seamless connectivity across all their devices when they travel. Starlink delivers that at-home experience in the air, giving Customers the ability to stream their favorite shows from any platform, watch live sports, download music, play games, work, and connect with loved ones from takeoff to landing.”
This is a very exciting development for Southwest
As of October 2025, Southwest Airlines introduced free Wi-Fi for all Rapid Rewards members, basically matching the policies of JetBlue, Delta, and now American. The catch is that Southwest’s current Wi-Fi setup is pretty underwhelming, with many planes having very outdated systems. While the airline has been installing Viasat in recent times, that’s only available on a minority of the fleet.
So to see Southwest moving to Starlink is a fantastic passenger experience improvement, as this will be way faster than what’s otherwise available on the airline.
Obviously a ton has changed about Southwest in recent times, as the airline has completely transformed its business model. From ditching open seating, to adding basic economy fares, to charging for checked bags, to introducing extra legroom economy, the airline is a lot more like the competition nowadays.
This is no doubt a positive passenger experience move, as travelers appreciate inflight connectivity, and it’s tough to beat fast and free connectivity. While United and Alaska have committed to Starlink, it’s interesting how American and Delta are holding out, as it seems like they’re going to be at a pretty big competitive disadvantage a couple of years down the road, if they don’t make a move soon.
Bottom line
Southwest Airlines plans to introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi, with the first plane having the service as of mid-2026, and 300+ planes being equipped with Starlink by the end of the year. You can’t beat Starlink for inflight connectivity, so this is great for Southwest passengers, especially given the carrier’s current lackluster Wi-Fi situation.
What do you make of Southwest Airlines introducing free Starlink Wi-Fi?
The gate-to-gate it a nice touch. American's new viasat service is great but not having access to it for the first and last parts of the flight make it a less seamless experience...
that is an AA decision, then.
DL Viasat works gate to gate
Smart move by SW. I wouldn’t be surprised if they installed Starlink in their Viasat birds once they see the customers’ net promoter scores (NPS). Starlink is a game changer with a huge moat around it.
it only is an advantage if it exists on aircraft.
WN has hundreds of Viasat equipped high speed in service now. UA has a dozen or fewer mainline aircraft with Starlink in service now.
DL has 900, AA has 700; both have hundreds of large RJs.
They all are seeing NPS scores improving - proportional to the number of aircraft with high speed WiFi.
TD, “ it only is an advantage if it exists on aircraft.”
Perception is reality and marketing is key. Just look at DL for years. How many different int’l wide body interiors? How long does it take with only 80 D1 aircraft in eight years? 767? 320neo FC? 777 refurbs?Nnon compliant 717 seats? What a mess!
it IS marketing and it only works until people step on an aircraft and find that it is nothing BUT marketing BS.
UA is run on marketing lies and myths including how great their service is.
Real passengers stand in line at baggage service offices not because of UA's great baggage handling but because of how poor it is.
You love to find specks in everyone else's eye while failing to admit UA's - and...
it IS marketing and it only works until people step on an aircraft and find that it is nothing BUT marketing BS.
UA is run on marketing lies and myths including how great their service is.
Real passengers stand in line at baggage service offices not because of UA's great baggage handling but because of how poor it is.
You love to find specks in everyone else's eye while failing to admit UA's - and that IS the issue.
and you do realize that DL doesn't even fly the 777? You are truly confused with UA's grounded 777s due to flying planes that have engines that are not supported by the manufacturer any more.
Why don't you just give up and admit that UA really is just a marketing machine that doesn't deliver anything industry leading.
You said it yourself. UA is just a marketing machine. a hollow marketing machine.
UA is the emperor that has no clothes.
No, I said DL’s primary strength is marketing. How else can you explain selling the mess that is DL interiors especially’premium’. Yikes.
DL delivers. Operationally. Financially. and with gate to gate WiFi.
It is UA that is a hollow marketing machine.
Tell us the number of AVOD equipped aircraft UA has and I can tell you DL has hundreds more.
tell us how many UA 777s are grounded due to those Pratt engines that are no longer supported by the manufacturer.
You have an uncanny ability to shift the focus away from UA's own defects...
DL delivers. Operationally. Financially. and with gate to gate WiFi.
It is UA that is a hollow marketing machine.
Tell us the number of AVOD equipped aircraft UA has and I can tell you DL has hundreds more.
tell us how many UA 777s are grounded due to those Pratt engines that are no longer supported by the manufacturer.
You have an uncanny ability to shift the focus away from UA's own defects and then shift the topic everytime someone brings a new fact that you don't like.
UA trails DL badly.
WN just trumped UA's plan to roll out Starlink on a wide scale.
It was a beautiful day in Dallas, not so much in Chicago.
Of course it is all darkness under the desk of your cubicle in Willis Tower.
Most of DL's AVOD along with most of their interiors are quite dated with little screens because it takes forever for them to update their interiors. UA = new seatback, large screen entertainment systems with Bluetooth connectivity, power outlets at every seat, and larger overhead bins designed to accommodate a roller bag for each passenger. Add Starlink and it is a home run.
It is comical how you see this as a race that is...
Most of DL's AVOD along with most of their interiors are quite dated with little screens because it takes forever for them to update their interiors. UA = new seatback, large screen entertainment systems with Bluetooth connectivity, power outlets at every seat, and larger overhead bins designed to accommodate a roller bag for each passenger. Add Starlink and it is a home run.
It is comical how you see this as a race that is over and won by the airline that reaches some benchmark first without any regard for differences in quality or incremental improvements. Apple has rarely been first in anything, but they continually refine their product. Then there is product consistency. McDonald's burgers aren't the best, but you know exactly what you are going to get every time. Those companies have done pretty well.
It's just a matter of time.
while you two argue about logging in (everyone that regularly comments should register on this site and sign in every time), WN's decision to add Starlink to its non-Viasat equipped planes confirms that:
-they recognize the value of high speed WiFi and of offering it free
- Starlink has advantages including faster speed and installation
but
- other systems including Viasat deliver a good enough product that it makes no sense...
while you two argue about logging in (everyone that regularly comments should register on this site and sign in every time), WN's decision to add Starlink to its non-Viasat equipped planes confirms that:
-they recognize the value of high speed WiFi and of offering it free
- Starlink has advantages including faster speed and installation
but
- other systems including Viasat deliver a good enough product that it makes no sense to rip out what WN already has on its MAX8s and, most importantly
- high speed WiFi that is actually in service is better than the promise of Starlink that will be operational across an entire fleet in 2 years
- Viasat is improving its product and other systems including from Amazon could potentially displace Starlink as even the speed leader. Airlines that started with Viasat did it when that was the best option. There is and never will be the assurance that even technology system will remain the best.
WN's move to add Starlink to its Viasat line-up moves them to #3 out of the big 4 in the speed of high speed Wifi.
Well done WN
This is such a selective read of the situation that it borders on spin.
First, WN adding Starlink is not some neutral “nice to have” upgrade. It is a clear admission that Viasat is not competitive enough going forward. If Viasat were truly delivering a product that was strong, future proof, and competitive, there would be zero reason to split the fleet. Airlines do not voluntarily introduce operational complexity for fun.
Second, saying “it makes...
This is such a selective read of the situation that it borders on spin.
First, WN adding Starlink is not some neutral “nice to have” upgrade. It is a clear admission that Viasat is not competitive enough going forward. If Viasat were truly delivering a product that was strong, future proof, and competitive, there would be zero reason to split the fleet. Airlines do not voluntarily introduce operational complexity for fun.
Second, saying “it makes no sense to rip out what WN already has” is just a cost deflection argument. Of course they are not ripping it out immediately. That does not mean Viasat is equal. It means ripping hardware out is expensive. There is a massive difference between “good enough for now” and “strategically competitive.”
Third, the idea that “high speed WiFi actually in service is better than the promise” ignores reality. Starlink is not a promise. It is already flying and already outperforming legacy GEO systems in speed, latency, and consistency. The two year rollout timeline is an installation schedule, not a science experiment. Pretending it is speculative tech is disingenous.
Fourth, the argument that “Viasat is improving” is weak. Every provider claims improvement. The market does not reward incremental upgrades when a fundamentally different architecture is outperforming you. LEO networks change the latency equation entirely. You cannot software update your way out of orbital physics.
Fifth, invoking Amazon as some hypothetical speed leader is pure whataboutism. “Could potentially displace” is not a strategy. Airlines make decisions based on what works now and what scales. Starlink is scaling rapidly. Kuiper is still largely theoretical in aviation terms.
And the ranking comment is odd. Moving to number three among four is not some triumph. It is an acknowledgment that WN had fallen behind and needed to respond. That is not “well done.” That is catching up.
The broader reality is simple. If Viasat were truly competitive long term, WN would standardize on it. They are not. That alone tells you the trajectory.
Trying to frame this as validation of Viasat feels like reputational damage control rather than objective analysis. The market is shifting. The tech stack is shifting. And WN’s move reflects that, even if some people are reluctant to admit it.
all of that blabbering and you miss the point that Starlink's biggest advantage is that it can be quickly deployed.
WN is challenging UA's supposed advantage that UA can quickly roll out Starlink by combining WN's Viasat and new Starlink systems to roll out high speed WiFi much faster than UA is doing.
Nobody has ever doubted that Starlink isn't a great product but the sooner you and the UA nut jobs admit that how...
all of that blabbering and you miss the point that Starlink's biggest advantage is that it can be quickly deployed.
WN is challenging UA's supposed advantage that UA can quickly roll out Starlink by combining WN's Viasat and new Starlink systems to roll out high speed WiFi much faster than UA is doing.
Nobody has ever doubted that Starlink isn't a great product but the sooner you and the UA nut jobs admit that how great Starlink is doesn't matter if it doesn't exist on an aircraft; UA has over 1000 mainline aircraft that do not have Starlink RIGHT NOW at the very same time that DL has over 1000 and AA has that many as well - with fewer mainline - combined RJs and mainline aircraft that do have free high speed WiFi and in DL's case has had it for most of the aircraft for years.
UA is last among US airlines in rolling high speed WiFi and the sooner you and the rest of the UA ilk quit arguing about how great Starlink is and admit that UA is genuinely last, the sooner we can move onto another topic.
All Due Respect summed it and TD’s nonsense up quite well. Poor TTD.
Every. Airline. Should. Provide. Free. WiFi. To. Passengers. In. 2026.
(Especially if they're too cheap to offer actual seatback IFE.)
If Starlink can get that done for them, fine; it someone else can; great.
As 1990Bot does not take its own advice by logging in, etc, therefore, why should anyone ever believe that the Bot has posted?
Do either of you losers ever stop talking?! Good lord!
Lepe,
Attention whores...especially 1990.
He...has...to...be...first...to...post...and then reply to everyone.
just a correction, but I believe WN is going to only put Starlink on the planes that do not have Viasat WiFi and keep Viasat on those aircraft.
WN has realized like B6 and then DL that WiFi is a huge positive for airline customers; B6 led the industry, DL took it global and nationwide, and AA joined both and supplanted B6 as the 2nd largest WiFi provider with the flip of a switch last...
just a correction, but I believe WN is going to only put Starlink on the planes that do not have Viasat WiFi and keep Viasat on those aircraft.
WN has realized like B6 and then DL that WiFi is a huge positive for airline customers; B6 led the industry, DL took it global and nationwide, and AA joined both and supplanted B6 as the 2nd largest WiFi provider with the flip of a switch last month.
Given that WN has the most network overlap with UA, this is really bad news for UA which has blabbed incessantly about Starlink but has about a dozen mainline aircraft with it. Using a relative of UA's made-up statistic about seat cancellation rate, UA has by far the lowest number of seats of the big 4 plus B6 with high speed free WiFi.
no one else took out SuperBowl ads and yet while UA was blabbing about how great Starlink is, WN was signing a contract to add it to WN's fleet, pretty well obliterating UA's argument about having it exclusively among the big 4.
Here is to WN beating UA with WiFi installation and advertising not just in DEN and Houston but across WN's network
Yes, B6, DL, and recently AA are 'getting' this. WN apparently is, too. UA, AS, and the rest need to catch up, fast. While some may have WiFi, it ain't free. Used Starlink on QR over the Atlantic Ocean recently, and it was 250mbps. Friends, that's nuts. If they can do that, everyone can; they're choosing not to, and consumers should know who cares and who doesn't by now.
As 1990Bot does not take its own advice by logging in, etc, therefore, why should anyone ever believe that the Bot has posted?
Tim, the wifi offered by Delta is woefully inferior to Starlink. While it works pretty well domestically and to Europe, just about every other region is unsatisfactory as a personal user. Flying to Asia is rough once you're past Alaska/Hawaii, and depending where you're flying to South America you'll be out of coverage range as well for some time of the flight although it's pretty good. I believe to Africa coverage is also pretty good...
Tim, the wifi offered by Delta is woefully inferior to Starlink. While it works pretty well domestically and to Europe, just about every other region is unsatisfactory as a personal user. Flying to Asia is rough once you're past Alaska/Hawaii, and depending where you're flying to South America you'll be out of coverage range as well for some time of the flight although it's pretty good. I believe to Africa coverage is also pretty good but haven't flown that. I don't mind their current wifi provider but if they could just extend the coverage area that would be great.
nobody doubts that Starlink is a better product but it doesn't matter how great Starlink is if it doesn't exist.
You and the other UA nut jobs want us to believe to that the promise of Starlink creates a better WiFi product than Viasat which does exist and is working on thousands of other aircraft.
Viasat is improving its product with two new satellites this year.
Get back w/ us in 2 years and...
nobody doubts that Starlink is a better product but it doesn't matter how great Starlink is if it doesn't exist.
You and the other UA nut jobs want us to believe to that the promise of Starlink creates a better WiFi product than Viasat which does exist and is working on thousands of other aircraft.
Viasat is improving its product with two new satellites this year.
Get back w/ us in 2 years and compare what actually is working on AA, B6, DL and WN with what UA offers.
and, more significantly, let us know if better WiFi, even if Starlink ultimately proves to be for UA, turns out to be a purchase driver compared to other airlines - and I strongly suspect it will not be.
UA and its fan base have a long history of bragging about things that they can't turn into better overall customer service or financial metrics and fleetwide Starlink will be no different.
UA talks a very big talk but doesn't deliver the totality on product and finances.
This also seems like bad news for DL, making it even less likely that they’ll be successful trying to make inroads in their aspiring AUS hub.
One more hub DL won’t be successful competing in. Good thing they have ATL and their other fortress hubs to bolster the areas they need to compete.
By next year UA will have an entire fleet of Starlink, something no other large US carrier will have.
in your wet dreams.
DL's success or not has very little to do with WiFi.
It has much more to do with WN not having first class and a global network.
While I do think that WN address both of those things over the next few years, there is a far greater chance that one of the current Texas hubs operated by one of the other 3 of the big 4 will become much more...
in your wet dreams.
DL's success or not has very little to do with WiFi.
It has much more to do with WN not having first class and a global network.
While I do think that WN address both of those things over the next few years, there is a far greater chance that one of the current Texas hubs operated by one of the other 3 of the big 4 will become much more competitive.
you aren't smart enough to realize that you brag when you have actually accomplished something, not just dreamt about it.
WN today ensured that WN will be 5th out of 4 airlines in high speed free WiFi deployment.
Get back w/ us when UA has passed every other US airline in number of aircraft with high speed free WiFi and we will see what difference it makes.
Since UA boasts incessantly that it is the best thing since sliced bread and yet cannot manage to prove it with bottom line financial or customer service metrics, it is doubtful that Starlink will be any different.
btw, the DOT has released their Air Travel Consumer Report which covers airline operations through November 2025.
It shows that UA was #5 in on-time while DL was at #1, beating even usual on-time leader HA (which will disappear from DOT stats as it is merged into AS).
YTD, UA's ontime ranking is #6, just above AA
UA's on-time at EWR was 10 points lower than DL at JFK; LGA was the worst of the 3 airports but even there UA's on-time was worse than DL and AA.
UA's ontime at ORD was worse than AA.
UA was next to worst for cancellations, just above AA.
and UA was, once again, worst among US airlines in baggage handling.
Crow all you want about how great Starlink is but it isn't going to move the bar above other airline high speed WiFi as long as UA's operation including its baggage handling is as bad as it is.
So WiFi doesn’t matter for DL’s inferior systems yet it will help WN defeat UA even though it will only be on part of their fleet and UA/WN have been competing for decades? lol
DL is the one that shrank in NYC by over 4% while UA grew 2%. DL also shrank in LAX while UA grew, with only 2% separating them. UA is also the 5th largest cargo carrier there, with DL not even...
So WiFi doesn’t matter for DL’s inferior systems yet it will help WN defeat UA even though it will only be on part of their fleet and UA/WN have been competing for decades? lol
DL is the one that shrank in NYC by over 4% while UA grew 2%. DL also shrank in LAX while UA grew, with only 2% separating them. UA is also the 5th largest cargo carrier there, with DL not even in top 10.
Only 1% profit margin separates them, UA’s EPS grew in 2025 while DL’s shrank.
UA will soon have over 200 787s while waits for 20 A350s and 30 787s in the next few years.
UA has so much momentum while DL coasts on what Richard Anderson accomplished 20 years ago.
I know which airline is more exciting to watch. UA, the one that knows how to compete and doesn’t have to rely on 4 fortress hubs to bolster its other hubs.
Oh, and UA was more on time than DL in 2025. DL has also canceled significantly more flights than UA in 2026. Not as many as AA but way more than UA.
DL's share at LGA and JFK remained flat, Mark.
Just like with everything else, you and UA mgmt think that bigger is better - and yet neither UA mgmt or you can show that UA is better.
UA makes 2/3 of what DL makes despite flying 10% more ASMs and paying UA employees less.
UA scores in the bottom half - and sometimes at the very bottom of the industry.
Only in your...
DL's share at LGA and JFK remained flat, Mark.
Just like with everything else, you and UA mgmt think that bigger is better - and yet neither UA mgmt or you can show that UA is better.
UA makes 2/3 of what DL makes despite flying 10% more ASMs and paying UA employees less.
UA scores in the bottom half - and sometimes at the very bottom of the industry.
Only in your own manufactured on-time, UA outperformed DL in on-time.
The DOT says UA trailed DL by a significant amount.
UA's seat on-time data doesn't count for much of anything.
and UA still loses more bags than any other US airline.
UA simply only has momentum in your mind.
What is with your made up statistic of profits made compared to ASMs flown? You sure love to make up your metrics.
Profit margin is what compares profits of airlines, and I’m really surprised you don’t know that. There is a 1% difference in their profit margins.
I’m also surprised that you haven’t checked the statistics for NYC airports. Or I’m not surprised that you have but are ignoring them.
DL was...
What is with your made up statistic of profits made compared to ASMs flown? You sure love to make up your metrics.
Profit margin is what compares profits of airlines, and I’m really surprised you don’t know that. There is a 1% difference in their profit margins.
I’m also surprised that you haven’t checked the statistics for NYC airports. Or I’m not surprised that you have but are ignoring them.
DL was down year over year in November and then down by an even larger percentage in December. UA was bigger. And I know you care since you LOVE talking about airline size when you can twist a number to favor DL.
You harped on DL’s NYC size when UA’s numbers were artificially reduced due to runway construction and then FAA issues, so don’t ruin your credibility even more by saying it doesn’t matter.
UA earned a net profit that was 2/3 of DAL's. that is not a made up statistic.
And you still can't grasp that DL is not focused on size. It is focused on being the best - and it does that.
You and UA miss the mark on such a consistent basis because you don't know what mark you are supposed to hit.
UA is not the NYC subway where carrying passengers is...
UA earned a net profit that was 2/3 of DAL's. that is not a made up statistic.
And you still can't grasp that DL is not focused on size. It is focused on being the best - and it does that.
You and UA miss the mark on such a consistent basis because you don't know what mark you are supposed to hit.
UA is not the NYC subway where carrying passengers is the goal.
When you grasp that UA's job is to be the best operationally, financially and in execution is what matters, then you will get it.
But since UA execs don't get it and continue to focus on all the wrong goals, it is not a surprise that you as a paid employee chatbot don't know the difference.
and specific to this discussion - which you desperately want to pretend doesn't exist - WN just trumped UA's plans to get Starlink on aircraft at a record breaking pace.
WN will end up with more aircraft SEATS (there's that made up UA statistic right back at you) with WiFi than UA - and will do it with a combination of Viasat and Starlink.
UA will be last of the big 4 in high speed free WiFi deployment and is now #5 out of 4 behind even B6.
Yikes!
TD, "DL's share at LGA and JFK remained flat, Mark."
Wrong. DL down 2.7% in Sep, 2.7% in Oct, 2.9% in Nov, 4.3% in Dec 25 for LGA & JFK, but nice try.
https://www.panynj.gov/airports/en/statistics-general-info.html
DL's share relative to the rest of the carriers at LGA and JFK.
again, you can't grasp that the world is not a perpetual war between DL and UA for dominance.
WN, B6, NK and F9 all had share declines. DL doesn't see a need nor a strategic reason to flood the market with capacity in the midst of massive reductions in capacity by competitors.
Given that UA is run by a bunch of people...
DL's share relative to the rest of the carriers at LGA and JFK.
again, you can't grasp that the world is not a perpetual war between DL and UA for dominance.
WN, B6, NK and F9 all had share declines. DL doesn't see a need nor a strategic reason to flood the market with capacity in the midst of massive reductions in capacity by competitors.
Given that UA is run by a bunch of people that consume resources and tout size as the world's largest airline but can't deliver industry-leading profits or operations, you will never be able from under your Willis Tower desk to realize UA's strategy doesn't work.
Let's wait for the meltdown at ORD this summer and watch everything UA does get much worse.
Meanwhile the chances are far higher than AA and WN mainline flights from ORD will have free high speed WiFi, a fact that you will try to distract from to avoid admitting that UA got thumped by WN with WN's Starlink announcement.
You gotta LUV competition!
TD, "DL's share at LGA and JFK remained flat, Mark." "DL's share relative to the rest of the carriers at LGA and JFK"
Still wrong. DL passengers (LGA & JFK) Dec 2024: 2,733,946 & Dec 2025: 2,615,608 or -4.5%. Again, nice try.
and, you continue to fixate on trying to prove me wrong because you can't understand the context.
DL's share RELATIVE TO ITS COMPETITORS at JFK and LGA is flat to up. WN, B6, F9 and NK have all cut capacity by far larger percentages.
DL SIMPLY DOES NOT SEE A NEED TO DUMP CAPACITY into JFK and LGA given DL is still the largest airline at both airports.
It is abundantly clear every time you...
and, you continue to fixate on trying to prove me wrong because you can't understand the context.
DL's share RELATIVE TO ITS COMPETITORS at JFK and LGA is flat to up. WN, B6, F9 and NK have all cut capacity by far larger percentages.
DL SIMPLY DOES NOT SEE A NEED TO DUMP CAPACITY into JFK and LGA given DL is still the largest airline at both airports.
It is abundantly clear every time you post that you and UA don't understand basic business principles because you are more fixated with size.
UA's goal SHOULD NOT BE to be the largest or gain the largest share. UA has proven over and over again that it chases share to the exclusion of profits or operational excellence. DL is run entirely differently.
and none of that changes the fact that, in high speed free WiFi deployment, UA's SEAT SHARE of WiFi accessibility is 5th out of 4 large US airlines and WN just ensured that UA's thunder about Starlink deployment went up in smoke.
Competition that produces results is far more significant than UA's incessant blabbing about its superiority which other airlines repeatedly prove to be just vaporware.
Tim, you really are sick in the head. I have been in the industry for 35 years, including for 20 years in exec roles, and can tell you right now that someone with your attitudes and total lack of critical thinking ability would not be a success in the industry, Tim.
guess what?
I am not in the industry and it is precisely because you are that you don't understand the difference between airlines - which have destroyed capital for years - and for-profit businesses.
The discussion here and repeatedly is from UA fans that incessantly tout UA's size while being unable to defend the fact that UA isn't industry leading in anything other than size. Its operations are not industry leading - in fact,...
guess what?
I am not in the industry and it is precisely because you are that you don't understand the difference between airlines - which have destroyed capital for years - and for-profit businesses.
The discussion here and repeatedly is from UA fans that incessantly tout UA's size while being unable to defend the fact that UA isn't industry leading in anything other than size. Its operations are not industry leading - in fact, its baggage handling is industry WORST - and its financials are right between AA (which most see as the bottom of the industry) and DL which is industry leading.
Feel free to tell us your credentials and it will be clear why DL has redefined how investors see DAL and why it is the world's highest market cap - meaning most desirable to invest in - and consistently outperforms other US airlines in financial AND operational metrics.
When you are in the middle of something that really is not winning for long enough, you don't even know what winning looks like.
The reason why I deride UA and its fans as much as I do is because they are incapable of admitting that the metrics they chase doesn't make them anything more than the NYC subway with wings.
TD says, “DL's share RELATIVE TO ITS COMPETITORS at JFK and LGA is flat to up.”
No, RELATIVE TO ITS COMPETITORS at JFK and LGA DL is down 2.7% in Sep, 2.7% in Oct, 2.9% in Nov, 4.3% in Dec 2025 for LGA & JFK.
JT says, “ I have been in the industry for 35 years, including for 20 years in exec roles, and can tell you right now that someone with your attitudes...
TD says, “DL's share RELATIVE TO ITS COMPETITORS at JFK and LGA is flat to up.”
No, RELATIVE TO ITS COMPETITORS at JFK and LGA DL is down 2.7% in Sep, 2.7% in Oct, 2.9% in Nov, 4.3% in Dec 2025 for LGA & JFK.
JT says, “ I have been in the industry for 35 years, including for 20 years in exec roles, and can tell you right now that someone with your attitudes and total lack of critical thinking ability would not be a success in the industryl
Amazing, isn’t it? He doesn’t seem to understand what a percentage or market share means. Poor LTD.
you still can't make the right comparisons for the correct month.
DL's share of LGA and JFK traffic for December - the month that is being discussed is UP relative to WN, F9, NK and B6, all of whom cut more capacity in Dec 2025 than DL. that data comes right from the chart and yet you are incapable of seeing it. Yikes!
DL's goal is simply not to flood markets with capacity to crush...
you still can't make the right comparisons for the correct month.
DL's share of LGA and JFK traffic for December - the month that is being discussed is UP relative to WN, F9, NK and B6, all of whom cut more capacity in Dec 2025 than DL. that data comes right from the chart and yet you are incapable of seeing it. Yikes!
DL's goal is simply not to flood markets with capacity to crush competitors. DL's strategy it to maximize profits which is what for-profit companies are supposed to do.
And, even if we look at the 12 month data for NYC, DL and UA are separated by only 0.1% share. The notion that DL has lost share is completely inaccurate because DL's share relative to UA INCREASED for the 12 months ended December 2025 vs 2024 by 1.1 percentage points.
DL just took that share increase in the spring and summer when fares are stronger.
You and your most recently invented user name called Jedidiah simply prove that you are part of the same capital destroying machine that has long defined the global airline industry. UA is driven by testosterone; UA execs pay lip service to doing what is best for investors but do the opposite in the market place.
and even in the execution of strategies, DL beats UA hands down and twice on Sundays.
and, specific to this discussion, WN beat UA up one side and down the other by deploying Starlink PLUS Viasat - which WN already has on hundreds of aircraft - to ensure that WN ends up with more aircraft and a whole lot more seats with high speed free WiFi than UA.
UA simply is focused on all the wrong metrics and you and your little buddy just prove how easy it is for competitors to win any contest w/ UA.
No, it isn’t. It is amazing how you can’t understand percentages and market share. Poor LTD. JT is right.
once again, it is beyond pathological how much you argue while ignoring actual facts because you are so wrapped up in your "UA is great" mantra that you can't see reality.
You can see carrier share at each airport on the port authority report separately. You can combine any two or three airports.
DL's share at LGA and JFK combined - not of the entire metro area - is unchanged from December 25 to 24.
once again, it is beyond pathological how much you argue while ignoring actual facts because you are so wrapped up in your "UA is great" mantra that you can't see reality.
You can see carrier share at each airport on the port authority report separately. You can combine any two or three airports.
DL's share at LGA and JFK combined - not of the entire metro area - is unchanged from December 25 to 24.
DL's share compared to B6, WN, F9 and NK is higher than it was in December 2024 because all 4 of those airlines lost share while DL remained flat.
I realized that you only regurgitate what you are told but very basic analysis shows that DL has a stronger position relative to low cost and ultra low cost carriers at LGA and JFK - DL's hubs - than it did a year ago in December.
and if you really are concerned about share, you should be arguing about UA's decision to push the A350 off the books pending the resolution of the lawsuit against Rolls Royce which means that DL will have a huge advantage in large gauge ultra long range capable aircraft than UA cannot match. UA MIGHT go for the 777X but the 777-8 is years from being available which means that DL will easily have 5 years on which it can do what it wants to Asia.
and DL just loaded a big schedule update for Hawaii which adds new routes and upgauges capacity. Beyond cutting AS off with their desire to increase their share to Hawaii, UA's Pratt 777 problems mean their Hawaii capacity is bound to be down.
DL CAN play the market share gain game but it does it smartly and very selectively.
and when it chooses not to chase share as it is doing in NYC right now, it is chasing higher yields.
Given that you, your clone above, and UA execs don't understand profit motivations over capacity, what DL is doing will all go well over your head - but straight to DL's bottom line.
Tim Dunn doesn’t understand percentages and market share, but calls himself an airline analyst. Yikes!
MSP-OGG. I’m sure UA is quaking in their boots.
PS, Still waiting on those Pacific markets and when/where Kirby said your fictional quote. Pathological? Definitely!
Tim "Tom" "The Delta Dunce" "Ronald McDonald" Deuce is being "very badly" beaten up (with many people saying "TOTALLY Destroyed" in the comments by rebel, Jedidiah, Mark, JJ and many other Great, intelligent and wonderful people. I have it on very good authority from his psychiatrist that DoubleDeuce has officially being diagnosed with "Mania" and he is saying it is the worst case that anyone has ever seen Anywhere or Anytime. Apparently it was induced...
Tim "Tom" "The Delta Dunce" "Ronald McDonald" Deuce is being "very badly" beaten up (with many people saying "TOTALLY Destroyed" in the comments by rebel, Jedidiah, Mark, JJ and many other Great, intelligent and wonderful people. I have it on very good authority from his psychiatrist that DoubleDeuce has officially being diagnosed with "Mania" and he is saying it is the worst case that anyone has ever seen Anywhere or Anytime. Apparently it was induced by everybody beating his so-called airline (Dunn Jet).
I don't play contests at beating people up any more than DL plays market share contests.
It is no surprise that rebel refuses to acknowledge that he simply doesn't understand the CONCEPT of DL's share at DL's hub RELATIVE TO LOW COST AND ULTRA LOW COST CARRIERS - but that IS the context here.
Neither UA or rebel - a paid UA employee sitting under his desk at Willis Tower - will admit that DL's...
I don't play contests at beating people up any more than DL plays market share contests.
It is no surprise that rebel refuses to acknowledge that he simply doesn't understand the CONCEPT of DL's share at DL's hub RELATIVE TO LOW COST AND ULTRA LOW COST CARRIERS - but that IS the context here.
Neither UA or rebel - a paid UA employee sitting under his desk at Willis Tower - will admit that DL's strategy is profit maximizing.
Doesn't matter what hubs DL launches its expanded Hawaii service from. UA doesn't fill its planes to Hawaii with passengers that only originate at its hubs.
The sheer argumentativeness that rebel displays while missing the basic facts of the industry is beyond belief.
I am sure all he wants is a pat on the head from daddy Scottie but rebel is beyond an embarrassment at how badly he understands strategy and data even while criticizing others. It is beyond pathological to argue as much as someone does and get the basic facts so very wrong. Rebel doesn't even have to agree that DL's strategies are better - he simply has to understand that he understands what DL is doing - but rebel is incapable of even grasping the concept.
and UA's market share strategies just like everything else they do don't translate into winning in any category other than size.
UA is the NYC subway of the airline industry
None of which changes that UA is being pushed to #5 out of the 4 largest US airlines in high speed WiFi deployment, a fact that will be repeated over and over again