Delta now offers Wi-Fi on all of its transatlantic flights. (Image: Delta)
As in-flight Internet service provider Gogo continues to enhance its product with the addition of satellite networks for overseas flights, Delta has been gradually equipping its international aircraft with that new technology. And now it has finished a major piece of that effort, offering high-speed Wi-Fi on all of its transatlantic flights.
Delta said this week that the Ku-band satellite service is now available on up to 83 daily roundtrip flights across the pond, including all its London Heathrow flights as well as service to 27 European cities, Tel Aviv, and the African destinations of Accra, Dakar and Lagos.
Besides the paid Wi-Fi service, Delta said customers who bring personal electronic devices on those routes can also get free access to its Delta Studio selection of streaming movies and TV programs.
After finishing the latest installations, Delta said that the addition of satellite Wi-Fi to its 767s, 747s, A330s and transoceanic 757s in addition to its domestic aircraft now gives it “the world’s largest Wi-Fi equipped fleet.”
Buy one, get one. Gogo is currently offering a special deal on Delta Wi-Fi; through February 29, Gogo said on its website, customers who buy one Delta Global Day Pass for $28 will get a second one for free — a savings of $60 over the in-flight purchase price. Each pass is good for 24 hours of access on any Gogo-equipped Delta flight, and they’re valid for a year.
United Airlines is also making considerable progress in equipping its long-haul fleet with satellite-based Wi-Fi. The airline says on its website that all 74 of its 777s now have Wi-Fi, as do all 22 of its 747-400s and 98 percent of its 767s. Installations on its 787 Dreamliners are 68 percent finished, covering 17 aircraft, United said, with completion of all the rest slated for June.
The cost of Internet access on United aircraft “will vary,” the airline says, although it gives no examples, and notes that it does not offer daily, weekly or monthly Wi-Fi passes, “but we may offer these options in the future.”
Related: How to save $$ on pricey inflight internet
“We are in the process of launching a newly designed portal with multiple payment options,” United notes. “With this new portal, on select aircraft, you will have additional Internet access options, such as time-based plans (e.g., 30 minutes, 1 hour) or full flight access, as well as the ability to purchase Internet with your MileagePlus award miles or a saved credit card in your MileagePlus account.”
American Airlines currently offers international Wi-Fi service on its 787s, 777-300ERs and “select” 777-200s (it doesn’t say how many), at rates ranging from $12 for two hours to $19 for the full flight.
What’s your experience been when using wi-fi on international flights? From my seat, I get better coverage over an ocean than I do over land, but maybe that’s just me? Comments, please!
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Salvatore Johnson says
February 6, 2016 at 4:57 amOn a flight from L.A. to Dulles yesterday, guess what didn’t work on the plane? The Wifi of course, they only work on about half of the United flights I am on. Not that I don’t use it, but they made an announcement before the flight that it didn’t work.
Kevin Ford says
February 5, 2016 at 8:36 amThe announcement used the phrasing “not equipped” as opposed to “not working”. And I did not see the markings that normally indicate wifi anywhere. The plane had a general feel of seeing a lot of use without a refit. I was surprised by this too–I know that on the equipment page of the inflight magazine it acts as though all 757’s have been refitted–but this one had not.
Kirk says
February 5, 2016 at 1:13 amPerhaps the wifi was broken (in which case DL will award you compensation miles if you ask) or perhaps the crew was mistaken. But I assure you, if the plane was painted in DL livery, there are no exceptions.
Kevin Ford says
February 5, 2016 at 1:05 amThat’s what I thought, too. But this one seems to have missed the memo. It was the exception.
Kirk says
February 5, 2016 at 12:52 amThere must have been some confusion, all the 757s have been wifi equipped for many years now. No exceptions. They’ll all have personal tvs and power plugs within about a year (Delta is currently upgrading 8 757s at a time).
Salvatore Johnson says
February 4, 2016 at 6:57 pmSorry but of all the things that we could save a buck or two on is not buying wifi on planes. It’s a hefty price for something that doesn’t work all the time. I can’t believe that people can’t go two to four hours without contact from others.
Kevin Ford says
February 4, 2016 at 4:56 pmI recently flew from Boston to Atlanta on a Delta 757 that was going on to Brazil. After a glowing description over the PA of all the marvelous entertainment options available on Delta wifi, there was a pause, then an apology for the fact that this plane was not equipped with wifi. It also had no powerports anywhere (I was in the front cabin) and only tiny overhead CRT screens–which were used only for the safety video. I think it may be the least upgraded equipment in the Delta fleet.
RD says
February 4, 2016 at 10:48 amI got a nice surprise on a ATL-UIO flight last week. On a DL 757 with just ground based GoGo service installed, I was prompted to pay an additional $4.95 over the $49.95 monthly plan to use the service over the US since the flight was international.
This has never happened before and coupled with the recent $10 rate increase it is becoming harder to justify the cost.