Delta Air Lines is pushing ahead with its “Free Wi-Fi” rollout, this time looking toward its international services.
The service – powered by Viasat and presented by T-Mobile USA will begin rolling out this summer (2024). The focus on the free wifi rollout so far has been on the US Domestic network, with connectivity across 700 aircraft being completed.
As such, it’s time for the international service to get their taste of “free” wi-fi.
Being it runs on Viasat’s Ka network, it is capable of running streaming video and data.
The rollout will be done on a route-by-route basis. Additional routes will be phased in as high-quality, reliable service becomes available.
Timeline
According to Delta, free Wi-Fi rolled out on most flights to/from France (Paris CDG and Nice) out of/into all U.S. stations last month. Looking ahead, the airline anticipates the following timeline:
| 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 |
Timelines are expected to be in flux, based on testing and satellite availability. and installation schedules
Login for Data
Interestingly, 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.
In other words, for now, you’ll be able to jump onto the portal and connect. But it might be an idea to create a Skymiles account before you depart… in case they ask for it.
In addition, Delta’s regional routes are expected to follow a similar process and come online in 2025, including those serviced by Boeing 717 aircraft. This connectivity solution is powered by Hughes
In Quotes
Ranjan Goswami, S.V.P. – Customer Experience Design saids
“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.”
Check before you fly
If connectivity is an important part of the reason of whom you choose for travel, Delta might be a competitive reason to access their free Wi-Fi. However, the airline acknowledges there will be some coverage gaps where Wi-Fi connectivity is not available until additional satellites are positioned to provide full coverage.
In addition, 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.
It’s best to check delta.com/wifi before you fly.
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