(21/08/24) Delta has started rolling out free Wi-Fi
on select long-haul international routes, with most transatlantic flights expected to
feature the service by the end of summer.
Passengers on the
Viasat-equipped long-haul international flights will be able to enjoy
free Wi-Fi presented by T-Mobile, bringing the airline one step
closer to achieving its goal of offering free Wi-Fi on its
entire global fleet.
Today, free, streaming-quality connectivity is
available on nearly 700 aircraft – more than 90% of Delta’s
domestic mainline fleet – and the airline expects the vast
majority of customers will have access to the product by the end
of the year.
Delta A330 reg: N860NW at LHR. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com
As free Wi-Fi rolls out internationally, the
international Wi-Fi portal will not initially require a SkyMiles log-in. 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.
“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,” said Ranjan Goswami, S.V.P. – Customer
Experience Design, 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.”
Last month, free Wi-Fi rolled out on most
flights to/from France (CDG and NCE) out of/into all U.S.
stations, and looking ahead, the airline anticipates the following
timeline:
– August 2024: United Kingdom, Germany,
Netherlands, Spain and Italy.
– September 2024:
Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Greece, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland.
– October 2024: South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and
Peru) followed by Hawaii.
– December 2024 and January 2025: Nigeria, Ghana
and Senegal.
– Mid-Late 2025:
Transpacific region – including Asia, Australia and New Zealand –
and South Africa.
The above timeline is subject to
change based on testing, satellite availability and aircraft installation
schedule.
Delta’s regional routes are expected to follow a
similar process and come online into 2025, including those
serviced by Boeing 717 aircraft.
It should also be noted that during the airline’s Wi-Fi transition period,
there are 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 the additional satellites are in service and
those aircraft are outfitted with upgraded satellite Wi-Fi.
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