Delta Airlines is reportedly making every passenger’s dream come true: free in-flight WiFi starting early next year.
The airline has reportedly been running tests, offering free onboard WiFi access to its SkyMiles rewards program, but a report from The Wall Street Journal reveals the company could soon extend that perk to all passengers.
Related | Our 2022 Holiday Travel Style Guide For Digital Nomads
Staying connected while flying has always been a major pain point. It’s not so much about the connectivity itself anymore as most planes nowadays offer reliable connectivity. No, the issue is more about the inconsistency in how different flights continue to have different connectivity options, sometimes even within a same airline, that can greatly vary in terms of used time, price and speed of connection.
Delta, for example, uses two different internet providers for its in-flight WiFi connection: Intelsat and Viasat. Both can be accessed via a paid subscription or an advocate payment that varies based on the type of connection and the length for which you intend to use it (from one hour, to the whole flight duration.) There is also a free access plan for certain T-Mobile users on a limited number of flights. Delta has known this complexity has been a problem for a while and wants to remedy the situation with a “vision” to bring free quality in-flight WiFi to all its passengers.
And I am totally here for it. In-flight WiFi is not just for those who want to stay connected and keep working when flying. There is also a certain shift in how airlines are planning to offer entertainment during flights, relying more on passengers using their own devices and streaming subscriptions rather than the movie selection we are all too used to by now.