Delta Air Lines elite members will likely enjoy a vacation the next time they fly with the airline.
That’s because the Atlanta-based carrier is testing a new free Wi-Fi offering for Medallion members on select aircraft. Elite flyers can now sign in Deltawifi.com portal and see if their flight has free internet access.
If that’s the case, all you need to do is enter your SkyMiles number and password, and then you’ll be connected to the internet – no passing days or monthly subscriptions required.
This new offer launched earlier this week and is part of a broader test to see how Delta’s Wi-Fi network can handle the additional traffic. A spokesperson for Delta confirmed that the test was in place, but they declined to share more details about the offering or what it means for the future of the company. Fleet-wide free Wi-Fi (Delta something tease back in early 2019).
For now, it appears that this free Wi-Fi plan for elite members is limited to planes that feature The airline’s new, faster Viasat satellite-based connectionIt is expected to be installed on most of the main fleet by the end of the year.
To date, many Airbus A321, Boeing 737-900ER and Boeing 757-200 aircraft are new and equipped with upgraded satellite connectivity.
While elite members traveling on one of these jets can score free Wi-Fi, Delta non-loyalists can connect to the system for a flat $5 fee. per device, regardless of flight distance.
This latest test appears to be designed to help Delta collect data on network usage and stability as more flyers connect to hotspots on the plane during the flight.
At the beginning of 2019, Delta CEO Ed Bastian shared a goal to “provide free Wi-Fi with high-speed quality.” Pandemic delays aside, it looks like the airline is finally gearing up for an attempt to deliver on this promise.
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This summer, the airline announced its internal plan to roll out free Wi-Fi on all domestic flights “soon”, with expansion of international routes slated for late 2024, according to Delta’s internal memo.
At the time, Delta’s chief executive of brand experience, Ekrem Dimbilloglu, said in a statement that these tests were another step on the journey to realizing Bastian’s vision of free Wi-Fi. on-board charge.
“While we’re significantly closer to delivering free, fast, and free Wi-Fi, it’s important that we apply our innovative DNA to test, learn, and expand.” purposefully scaled to deliver the great experience our customers expect from Delta,” said Dimbilloglu.
While Delta is getting closer to rolling out free Wi-Fi to everyone, it’s worth noting that JetBlue Airways remains the market leader in in-flight connectivity. The New York-based carrier has famously provided Free Wi-Fi from gate to gate for years without speed limits or device limits.
Delta’s competitors have also been busy recently upgrading their in-flight connectivity services, though none have publicly pledged to offer free Wi-Fi. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines recently released Pricing $8 flat fee for Wi-Fi, while American Airlines recently launched (and expanded) Try the Internet for free on a Viasat-equipped jet.
Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines recently announced that it is adding a new internet provider (Viasat) and upgrading an existing one (Anuvu) in its Boeing 737 fleet.
Even the ultra-low-cost airline Spirit Airlines recently shared that its Wi-Fi implementation is now completed. However, in stark contrast to Delta and JetBlue, the airline is charging a higher price for in-flight internet access than during the test period.
