Delta will offer free WiFi on domestic flights starting February 1st

Delta is introducing free WiFi on round 80 % of its home US flights beginning on February 1st, 2023, confirming rumors from late final yr. The service, obtainable by way of a T-Cellular sponsorship, will come to 700 planes by the top of the yr and on regional and worldwide plane by the top of 2024. “It’ll be free. It’ll be quick. And it may be obtainable to everybody,” stated Delta CEO Ed Bastian at CES 2023.

Vacationers might want to use their Delta SkyMiles info to log in for entry, however getting an account is free. The corporate introduced final yr that it could be upgrading extra planes utilizing Viasat as a supplier. It has been charging a $5 flat charge for WiFi to this point. 

Other than any revenue motive, airways have been sluggish to introduce free WiFi over considerations that the methods would not be quick sufficient to accommodate a whole lot of individuals directly. Delta has been engaged on the system since 2018, with the eventual aim to supply free WiFi. 

“We didn’t simply need free Wi-Fi to supply base-level service – we needed it to be transformative for the whole onboard expertise,” he stated. “It’s crucial all prospects onboard can take pleasure in their favourite content material simply as they’d at residence, and we’ve put this method by way of meticulous exams to make that potential.”

Jetblue additionally presents free WiFi by way of company sponsorship, however Southwest, United, American and different airways cost charges, often within the $8 to $10 vary. American has not too long ago been trialing free WiFi for sure prospects. 

Delta additionally introduced that it’s going to unveil new in-flight leisure methods beginning this summer time, with consumer preferences touring from “flight to flight… even the place you left off on a film,” in accordance with the press launch.