Delta's free Wi-Fi should be on most transatlantic flights by end of summer

17.07.2024 - 14:12 / thepointsguy.com / Ed Bastian / Delta Ceo / Paris Olympic Games

Delta Air Lines expects jets operating on most transatlantic routes will be equipped with fast, free Wi-Fi service by the end of this summer. However, it could be at least another year before the carrier completes the rollout of free internet to the rest of its fleet.

Since early 2023, the Atlanta-based carrier has been working to bring free Wi-Fi to its aircraft, with connectivity requiring just a SkyMiles membership.

Though Delta initially had its sights set on a full fleet rollout by the end of 2024, satellite coverage limitations pushed the timeline into 2025, TPG first reported in March.

"We are continuing to roll it out, making good progress," Delta CEO Ed Bastian said last week on the company's second-quarter earnings call.

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Delta began its Wi-Fi rollout with a heavy focus on its mainline domestic fleet; the airline has already brought the service, from provider Viasat, to its Airbus A319s, A320s and A321s, and its Boeing 737s and 757s — along with "many" of its A220s.

Now, at present, the carrier is focusing its attention on its wide-body international fleet — particularly jets flying routes between the U.S. and Europe, which are heavily traveled this summer.

"The focus at the moment is getting our international fleet equipped," Bastian said last week. "We'll have, largely, the transatlantic pretty well fully up and running by the end of summer, over the next couple months."

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Just this week, Delta began testing the service on most flights between the U.S. and France, including flights to and from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Nice.

Testing began Monday. Once it's completed, travelers should have access to the free Wi-Fi just in time for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, a spokesperson told TPG.

Additional international routes are expected to be phased in following successful testing.

Satellite coverage gaps most heavily affect Delta's Asia-Pacific routes, but the carrier says it's working with Viasat to bring those routes online at some point in 2025.

Beyond that, the carrier is focused on equipping its regional jets and remaining mainline aircraft, most notably the Boeing 717 fleet, "over the next 12 to 18 months," Bastian said last week.

As TPG reported last November, the carrier is partnering with Hughes Network Systems to give more than 400 of its 717s and its regional jets gate-to-gate Wi-Fi.

More than half of Delta's passenger capacity does, to date, have access to free Wi-Fi.

On most flights not equipped, you can purchase service. Wondering if your flight is equipped with fast, free service? You can find out at delta.com/wifi, or look for the "fast-streaming Wi-Fi"