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American Airlines CEO Robert Isom endorsed Starlink as the best product for customers and said the airline plans to expand it to more than 1,000 aircraft beginning in 2027, despite questions about Ukraine.
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American Airlines CEO Robert Isom Backs Elon Musk’s Starlink When Pressed Over Ukraine, Says Customers Want the Best Product on the Market: ‘It’s Starlink’ American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL) CEO Robert Isom reaffirmed his commitment to Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) Starlink satellite internet service despite questions about disrupted Ukrainian military communications, arguing that passengers deserve the best available in-flight connectivity. American Expands Starlink Across Entire Mainline Fleet During Thursday’s CNBC interview, Phil LeBeau asked whether Isom felt comfortable doing business with Starlink amid the Ukraine controversy. "American has always been the leader in satellite Wi-Fi. We’ve had more aircraft equipped with satellite Wi-Fi than anybody for longer," Isom responded. "Our customers, they want connectivity. They demand it." When LeBeau asked whether Starlink represented that commitment, Isom replied, "It’s Starlink." Isom emphasized that American intends to offer customers "the best product in the marketplace," reinforcing its earlier Starlink partnership. American announced on Oct. 8 that it would expand Starlink installations across more than 1,000 mainline aircraft, doubling its earlier commitment covering 500 Airbus jets. Installations begin in 2027. During American’s earnings call, Isom also described reliable connectivity as increasingly essential to the passenger experience and said the airline would accelerate installations. Read Also: SpaceX Investor Ross Gerber Says He's 'Disgusted' With Elon Musk Over Ukraine's Starlink Slowdown, Warns Governments May Lose Trust: 'Strategically Horrendous' Southwest Targets Fleetwide Starlink Rollout By 2027 Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) expects to complete its fleetwide Starlink rollout by fall 2027, potentially becoming the first major U.S. carrier to achieve that milestone. Southwest reiterated the timeline during its third-quarter earnings call, emphasizing free high-speed Wi-Fi for Rapid Rewards members. Starlink’s expanding airline partnerships contrast with mounting scrutiny surrounding its military services. Ukraine Controversy Raises Questions About Starlink Reliability Earlier, it was reported that restrictions on Ukraine’s Starlink access disrupted military communications and drone operations. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said conflicting accounts about Ukraine’s satellite access warrant congressional scrutiny. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said Thursday that Musk restored access, although Ukrainian officials disputed whether service had fully recovered. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) previously pressed Musk for answers, warning that supporting Ukraine "should not be a gray area." Despite the controversy, Isom maintained that Starlink remained Americans’ preferred connectivity solution. Read Also: Elon Musk Says SPCX Could Reach Up to $1 Trillion ARR By 2027—Gwynne Shotwell Says Starlink Is Contracted for 12,000 Aircraft Image via Shutterstock