Brand Leader: Delta Airlines beats competition to offering free Wi-Fi service aboard flights

*Delta Airlines has beaten the competition to offering free Wi-Fi service for all passengers aboard effective from February 1, 2023

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to its recent assessment as one of the leading global airlines with excellent customer service, Delta Airlines has beaten the competition to offering free Wi-Fi service to air travellers on destinations.

Ed Bastian, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Delta Airlines, last Thursday at this year’s CES conference announced that the airline would follow through with its promise to make in-flight Wi-Fi free for everyone aboard starting February 2023, agency report said.

Bastian stated: “It is going to be free, it is going to be fast, and it is going to be available to everyone.”

According to the airline, all travellers have to do to access the Internet service is login to their SkyMiles account — and they can connect as many devices as they want, too.

However, there has to be at least one “but,” doesn’t there?

Delta disclosed the Wi-Fi rollout would only be available on its aircraft that are equipped with a new system built by satellite Internet provider Viasat.

It was learnt thus far, about 80 percent of Delta’s domestic fleet is equipped with Viasat and the company’s goal is to have the service installed on 700 aircraft by the end of 2023 and on all of its flights by the end of 2024.

Will other airlines follow suit?

No other airline played their “me, too” card in response to Delta’s announcement.

But since Viasat has systems already in place on JetBlue, United, and American, those carriers might consider dropping their Internet fee, so they don’t lose any business to Delta, according to report.