How much does delta charge for wifi

With more than 1,100 aircraft equipped with Wi-Fi, Delta Air Lines is one of the world's largest providers of in-flight Internet. The fleet's Wi-Fi is powered by Gogo, and is offered on nearly all Delta flights. Like several other major airlines equipped by Gogo, access to Delta's Wi-Fi may be purchased before any given flight.

Delta Wi-Fi passes start at $16 for a 24-hour domestic day pass (valid on Gogo-equipped flights in North America).

Travelers flying internationally may opt for the $28, 24-hour global day pass, which is valid on one or more Gogo-equipped Delta flights regardless of the route.

Frequent fliers may prefer the domestic monthly or domestic annual pass ($49.95 and $599.99 respectively). Both allow unlimited Wi-Fi access to Gogo Wi-Fi when traveling on domestic flights.

Free In-flight Messaging

In September of 2017, Delta Air Lines announced that all customers flying on Wi-Fi enabled planes would be able to send basic texts (even those with emojis) via iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger for free.

A Wi-Fi purchase is not required for the complimentary messaging service, and there are no message or data charges, either. Notably, SMS is not supported. Video and photo messages will not be accepted.

How Delta Wi-Fi Works

Delta Wi-Fi uses a variety of signal technologies to provide travelers with a working Internet connection. In addition to the cheaper-but-slower ground-to-air option, where an antenna on the bottom of the plane communicates with existing cell towers on the ground, Delta is in the process of upgrading its fleet to use Ku band technology, where an antenna on the top of the plane communicates with satellites in orbit.

Not only can it deliver a signal strong enough to stream Netflix, but also Ku band technology is much more effective than ground-to-air when planes fly over bodies of water (or areas of land with no cell towers). It also maintains a signal throughout the entire flight. From the moment you board until the time you exit the plane, travelers can have seamless Wi-Fi connectivity. (No more having to wait for cruising altitude to access the in-flight Wi-Fi.)

Delta promises to eventually achieve 100 percent Ku band coverage on all its long-haul international flights. The airline is in the process of updating its remaining fleet with the technology. Over 98 percent of both A319 and 737-800 planes, and over 21 percent of the 737-900 planes, have been equipped with Ku band Wi-Fi.

Flights on A320, A321, A350, 717-200, 737-700, 757-200, 757-300, and MD-90 aircraft are still awaiting their Ku band upgrades, but nearly all have air-to-ground Wi-Fi technology, which provides service (albeit slower) where coverage is available.

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  4. Wow: Delta Air Lines Launches Free Inflight Wi-Fi

There’s no denying that inflight connectivity has come a long way. First we saw airlines introduce inflight Wi-Fi in the first place. Then we saw the speed of inflight Wi-Fi greatly improved, so that it’s similar to connectivity on the ground. Lately the focus has increasingly been on making inflight Wi-Fi free.

While JetBlue has been leading the way among US airlines when it comes to offering free inflight Wi-Fi, Delta has now become the first global US airline to offer free inflight Wi-Fi on a widespread basis. Delta management has been talking about this for years, and it is now becoming a reality.

All Delta SkyMiles members on select flights are now eligible for unlimited free Wi-Fi.

  • Delta SkyMiles members now get free inflight Wi-Fi
  • Free Wi-Fi coming to all Delta planes by late 2024
  • Why it has taken Delta time to launch free inflight Wi-Fi
  • Expect American to offer free Wi-Fi as well
  • Bottom line

Delta SkyMiles members now get free inflight Wi-Fi

As flagged by Zach Griff, Delta has gradually started the process of offering free inflight Wi-Fi to passengers. As of this week, the airline has started offering free Wi-Fi to all SkyMiles members on select flights. This follows the airline first rolling out free Wi-Fi to SkyMiles Medallion elite members a couple of weeks ago.

Eligible travelers should log into the Wi-Fi portal, and should then see the option to connect to Wi-Fi at no cost using their SkyMiles credentials.

This seems to be valid on aircraft with Viasat Wi-Fi. On these planes, non-SkyMiles members are able to purchase Wi-Fi for $5, which is extremely reasonable. However, since joining SkyMiles is free, just about everyone should be able to get free Wi-Fi this way. Keep in mind that this isn’t a published policy, but seems to be offered for now, so there’s no guarantee this will be available on all Viasat equipped flights.

How much does delta charge for wifi
Delta SkyMiles members should now receive free Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi coming to all Delta planes by late 2024

Back in July 2022, Delta revealed some updates about the progress of free inflight Wi-Fi in an internal memo:

  • Delta plans to launch complimentary Wi-Fi on domestic mainline flights “soon” (unfortunately regional jets won’t get this free service)
  • Delta plans to launch complimentary Wi-Fi on international routes by the end of 2024, as the technology improves and bandwidth allows this to become a reality

Delta has been offering free inflight messaging for a long time now, but the airline now offering free Wi-Fi with no data caps for SkyMiles members on select aircraft is awesome. I imagine the current policy of all SkyMiles members getting free Wi-Fi on Viasat jets will soon be formalized, rather than just being an unofficial offering.

How much does delta charge for wifi
Long haul flights will also eventually have free Wi-Fi

Why it has taken Delta time to launch free inflight Wi-Fi

Delta’s management has consistently been talking about introducing free inflight Wi-Fi for several years now, so what has taken so long? It comes down to technology. In 2019 Delta conducted some free inflight Wi-Fi trials, but found that the system being used at the time couldn’t support the increased usage when there was no cost to use the service. After all, bandwidth is a bit more limited at 35,000 feet than on the ground.

While Delta had historically worked with Gogo on Wi-Fi, the airline knew that this wouldn’t work in the long run, if the goal was to provide free Wi-Fi. In early 2021, it was announced that Delta would transition to Viasat. The airline is installing Viasat Wi-Fi on 300+ mainline narrow body jets, and good progress has been made with this.

With Viasat it’s much more realistic for Delta to offer free Wi-Fi, since this is the same system you’ll find on JetBlue (which has been offering free Wi-Fi for years).

How much does delta charge for wifi
Delta’s switch to Viasat makes free Wi-Fi realistic

Expect American to offer free Wi-Fi as well

In the US airline industry we see a lot of copying between airlines. While Delta was the first of the “big three” US carriers committed to offering free Wi-Fi, there have been widespread rumors that American will match.

American also has Viasat installed on most of its narrow body jets, so there shouldn’t be too many technological limitations here. It’s anyone’s guess when American matches, but I think it’s a sure bet that it will happen eventually. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens in the not-too-distant future, just to steal a bit of the Atlanta-based carrier’s thunder.

Unfortunately United is still quite a ways off from offering free Wi-Fi, since the carrier has the weakest overall Wi-Fi offering of the three airlines. However, United does offer free Wi-Fi to T-Mobile customers and free inflight messaging.

How much does delta charge for wifi
Expect American to also eventually offer free Wi-Fi

Bottom line

Delta Air Lines is in the process of rolling out free inflight Wi-Fi. The airline is now offering all SkyMiles members complimentary Wi-Fi on Viasat equipped flights, with other passengers having to pay just $5 for Wi-Fi on these flights. Just a couple of weeks ago the airline rolled out free Wi-Fi exclusively to elite members, to this project is moving along nicely.

The plan is for this to be rolled out on long haul international jets by the end of 2024. Unfortunately regional jets won’t be getting this complimentary service.

While JetBlue has been doing this for years, it’s exciting to see a global US airline roll this out.

What do you make of Delta offering free inflight Wi-Fi?

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How much is Delta Wi

$49.95. Monthly access on all domestic* Delta Wi-Fi equipped flights. Hassle-free, automatic renewal each month with the ability to cancel at any time.

How much does inflight Wi

United Airlines.

Does Delta have 2022 free Wi

Free Wi-Fi coming to all Delta planes by late 2024 Back in July 2022, Delta revealed some updates about the progress of free inflight Wi-Fi in an internal memo: Delta plans to launch complimentary Wi-Fi on domestic mainline flights “soon” (unfortunately regional jets won't get this free service)

Does Delta have a day Wi

The North America Day Pass offers 24 hours of unlimited Internet on all Gogo® equipped Delta flights in the contiguous US 48 and Alaska. It's a great value if you're flying domestically for more than three hours within a 24 hour period on Delta Wi-Fi equipped aircraft.