Passenger cabins on a Delta Boeing 737-900ER are shown upon landing in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mike Blake | reuters
Delta Airlines Will offer free Wi-Fi to passengers from February 1 after years of studying the possibility.
Most US flights will start the service next month, but it will become more available each week, CEO Ed Bastian said during a presentation at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Thursday.
Delta said in A release later thursday It has free Wi-Fi through a partnership with T MobileWill be available on more than 700 aircraft by the end of 2023 and on international and regional aircraft by the end of next year.
“It’s free. It doesn’t have any fine print,” Bastian said Thursday. “We’ve invested over $1 billion to build it.”
Delta plans to make Internet access free as airlines compete for customers in a travel rebound after the pandemic slump nearly three years ago. Delta executives have repeatedly said the airline is aiming for higher-paying customers and that revenue from premium cabins such as business class has outpaced revenue growth in standard coach.
Bastian said passengers will be able to access the free Internet service by logging in with their Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer account information. Although travelers will need a SkyMiles account, it’s free to become a member.
Delta said last March that it was rapidly equipping more of its planes with Wi-Fi. viasat And made it available for a $5 flat fee. The carrier already offers free messaging service.
Most airlines charge for Wi-Fi: United Airlines charges $8 to members of its frequent flyer program and $10 to other customers, and Southwest Airlines Fee $8. it’s free jetbluethat has some corporate sponsorship for the service, and Hawaiian Airlines planning to introduce free internet With SpaceX’s Starlink this year.
American AirlinesWi-Fi service starts at $10 and varies depending on route, though last April, the carrier and its provider Viasat began testing free Wi-Fi for some customers.
Airline officials have been hesitant to offer free Wi-Fi service until it is more reliable.
Delta also said Thursday it would unveil new in-flight entertainment systemStarting later this year.