SpaceX Struggling for Traction in In-Flight Connectivity: Analyst

SpaceX's "aura of invincibility" in satellite-delivered residential broadband does not extend to the aviation connectivity marketplace, William Blair's Louie DiPalma wrote investors Monday, pointing to American Airlines' announcement that it signed an in-flight Wi-Fi contract with Intelsat. The American Airlines deal follows Intelsat agreements struck with Air Canada and Alaska Airlines earlier this year as well as Delta's pact with EchoStar, he said. SpaceX landed contracts with Qatar and FlexJet but seems to have won fewer than 3% of commercial and business aviation deals that were awarded since it entered the market two years ago, he said.