WestJet launched onboard Wi-Fi services powered by Starlink, the satellite internet platform operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Per a Canadian Press (via Financial Post) report, WestJet says 16 of almost 140 planes now offer free, faster Wi-Fi after receiving federal certification. The company plans to finish hardware installations on its fleet of narrow-body planes by the end of the year and on wide-body planes by the end of 2027.
WestJet said it chose Starlink in a multi-year agreement that also included Telus, which was announced in July 2024 following a bidding process that started in 2023.
However, the news of WestJet’s Starlink partnership comes amid rising tensions between Canada and the U.S. due to a trade war instigated by U.S. President Donald Trump. Musk is closely tied to Trump and deeply involved in the federal government, leading Musk’s businesses to become targets in the trade war.
For example, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the province was “ripping up” a contract with Starlink because of the trade war.
However, Starlink isn’t the only Musk-owned company caught in the trade war. Musk’s Tesla has had its share of troubles as vehicle owners attempt to distance themselves from Musk. There have been protests at Tesla dealerships, and some Tesla locations have been attacked — an Ontario dealership saw more than 80 vehicles vandalized.
B.C. also got some licks in, removing Telsa from its charger rebate program. The Vancouver Auto Show also booted the company from the show.
Moreover, the federal government froze Tesla’s electric vehicle (EV) rebates amid an investigation into potential fraud after a suspicious surge in sales that saw the company claim $43 million in rebates over one weekend.
The ongoing anti-Musk sentiment means bad timing for WestJet’s Starlink launch, which sparked ire from some Canadians online. It remains to be seen if Canadians’ frustrations with Musk lead to backlash for WestJet over the partnership.
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