Its been a hectic few weeks for Delta Air Lines and its passengers but, the airline has an exciting update for travelers. Delta is rolling out fast, free Wi-Fi on international flights! Most transatlantic flights are expected to be in service with free Wi-Fi by the end of the summer.
Customers on select Viasat-equipped long-haul international flights will have access to the fast, free Wi-Fi presented by T-Mobile. The majority of widebody airplanes are expected to be upgraded by 2025. 90% of Delta’s domestic mainline fleet is already equipped with the product.
Ranjan Goswami, Delta’s Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Design, had this to say about the rollout:
“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. 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.”
Ranjan Goswami, S.V.P. – Customer Experience Design
Delta is rolling out the Wi-Fi on a route-by-route basis. The airline first offered the product on flights between the U.S and France (CDG/NCE) just in time for the Olympics. Additional routes will be phased in on the following schedule.
| Rollout Begins | On Viasat-Equipped Routes To/From |
|---|---|
| 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/January 2025 | Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal |
| Mid-Late 2025 | Transpacific region (including Asia, Australia and New Zealand) and South Africa |
Delta’s regional routes are expected to follow a similar process and come online into 2025, including those serviced by Boeing 717 aircraft.
Initially, the international Wi-Fi portal will not require a SkyMiles login. Delta is promoting that the Wi-Fi is free for SkyMiles members, in an effort to get more passengers signed up for the airline’s frequent flyer program. However, later this year, all Viasat Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft will convert to the airline’s personalized Delta Sync Wi-Fi experience which can only be accessed using a SkyMiles login.
Delta has acknowledged that there will be some service gaps as the company works to upgrade aircraft and more satellites are brought online. To determine whether or not your flight will feature the new, free Wi-Fi, check your booking email or visit delta.com/wifi.
Summary
Delta is rolling out free Wi-Fi on international routes with most flights expected to feature the product by 2025. The airline started offering the Viasat Wi-Fi presented by T-Mobile on flights to/from Paris (CDG)and Nice (NCE) just in time for the Olympics. By 2025 the airline expects to have the new Wi-Fi installed on most aircraft including Delta Connection planes and the Boeing 717.
