Delta Begins Rollout of Free Wi-Fi on Long-Haul International Routes

Dark/Light Mode (21/08/24)  Delta has started rolling out free Wi-Fi on select long-haul international routes, with most transatlantic flights expected to feature the service by the end of summer.

Passengers on the Viasat-equipped long-haul international flights will be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi presented by T-Mobile, bringing the airline one step closer to achieving its goal of offering free Wi-Fi on its entire global fleet.

Today, free, streaming-quality connectivity is available on nearly 700 aircraft – more than 90% of Delta’s domestic mainline fleet – and the airline expects the vast majority of customers will have access to the product by the end of the year.

Delta A330 reg: N860NW at LHR. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

As free Wi-Fi rolls out internationally, the international Wi-Fi portal will not initially require a SkyMiles log-in. 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.

“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,” said Ranjan Goswami, S.V.P. – Customer Experience Design, Delta. “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.”

Last month, free Wi-Fi rolled out on most flights to/from France (CDG and NCE) out of/into all U.S. stations, and looking ahead, the airline anticipates the following timeline:

- 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 and January 2025: Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.

- Mid-Late 2025: Transpacific region - including Asia, Australia and New Zealand - and South Africa.

The above timeline is subject to change based on testing, satellite availability and aircraft installation schedule.

Delta’s regional routes are expected to follow a similar process and come online into 2025, including those serviced by Boeing 717 aircraft.

It should also be noted that during the airline’s Wi-Fi transition period, there are some coverage gaps where Wi-Fi is not available until additional satellites are positioned to provide full coverage.

Some aircraft will have a paid Intelsat Wi-Fi experience until the additional satellites are in service and those aircraft are outfitted with upgraded satellite Wi-Fi.

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