Delta, in a major milestone in its journey to bring reliable, streaming quality connectivity to its entire global fleet for free has started rolling out fast, free Wi-Fi presented by T-Mobile on select long-haul international routes. Most transatlantic flights are expected to be in service with free Wi-Fi by the end of the summer.
Starting this summer, customers on select Viasat-equipped long-haul international flights can enjoy free Wi-Fi thus bringing Delta closer to its goal of offering free Wi-Fi on its entire global fleet.
As of today, free, streaming-quality connectivity is available on over 90% of Delta’s domestic mainline fleet, approximately 700 aircraft. The airline expects the vast majority of customers will have access to the product by the end of the year.
“As we continue to roll out fast, free Wi-Fi and the in-flight experiences it powers, we’re able to serve customers traveling both domestically and internationally in new, in-the-moment ways,” says Ranjan Goswami, senior vice president, of customer experience design, at Delta. “The scale at which we’re bringing free Wi-Fi to customers is unmatched in the airline industry, and it’s a testament to the incredible efforts of Delta teams across the business that have expertly navigated an extremely complex rollout.”
To carry out this exercise in a phased-out manner, Delta is rolling out the Wi-Fi on Viasat-equipped widebody aircraft on a route-by-route basis
As free Wi-Fi rolls out internationally, the international Wi-Fi portal will not require a SkyMiles log-in initially. Later this year, all Viasat Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft will officially convert to the personalized Delta Sync Wi-Fi experience unlocked by customers’ SkyMiles memberships for exclusive onboard experiences and offers.
During the airline’s Wi-Fi transition period, there are unfortunately some coverage gaps where Wi-Fi is not available until additional satellites are positioned to provide full coverage. Some aircraft will have a paid Intelsat Wi-Fi experience until these additional satellites are in service and these aircraft are outfitted with upgraded satellite Wi-Fi.
