Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
U.S.A.
English
Canada
English
Canada Quebec
Français
Menu
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Air
  • River Cruise
  • Training & Resources

Delta Air Lines Positions Itself for a Free Inflight WiFi Future

by Daniel McCarthy  January 05, 2021
Delta Air Lines Positions Itself for a Free Inflight WiFi Future

Photo: Delta Air Lines. 

On Tuesday, Delta Air Lines announced that it would adding a new inflight WiFi provider, Viasat, and launching a new Delta WiFi access portal with a new interface, as it continues to take steps to improve its customer experience even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The switch will be made during the summer, with Viasat installation coinciding with the delivery of new aircraft to the Delta fleet as it continues to pair the right WiFi provider (Delta’s previous provider was Gogo) with the right aircraft.

While Delta said that the move would improve customer experience inflight with higher speed and better capability onboard, including better streaming and more personalized content in the in-flight entertainment options, it also continues Delta’s mission of delivering free WiFi in the future. Something that is now becoming a very real possibility for the carrier.

“We are committed to delivering Free WiFi in the future, and this is a significant step on that journey,” Ekrem Dimbiloglu, Delta’s director of brand experience for in-flight entertainment said in a Q&A announcing the news.

Delta had been looking toward a future of free inflight WiFi for a while now. Delta CEO Ed Bastion specifically mentioned the possibility during his keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last year, explaining that Delta was looking at the possibility of offering it sometime over the next couple of years.

Delta had also teased the offering with a two-week testing program that it launched in May 2019, a program that saw around 55 domestic flights operate with free WiFi to test capabilities onboard.

Now, with the new Viasat system, Delta will look to continue working toward that goal. The carrier said it will continue to test how it can best adopt to free WiFi flights—Dimbiloglu, in the Q&A, said that “delivering Free WiFi that is high-quality and streaming capable requires thorough testing to ensure our technology can handle the demand.”

But Delta’s “vision for the future of travel will not come to life overnight.” The carrier expects the move to take time, with the process from approvals to testing to implementation often taking several months.

Delta said it has even more plans in development and will share details soon.

  0
  0

MOST VIEWED

  1. Royal Caribbean Axes Cabinmate Drink Package Exception Rule
  2. United Airlines Issues Flight Change Waiver as Air Canada Flight Attendant Strike Looms
  3. Tropical Storm Erin Forecasted to Strengthen to Hurricane on Friday
  4. Norwegian Cruise Line’s David Herrera Steps Down as President
  5. Hurricane Erin Causes Flight Cancellations, Cruise Changes
  6. Tropical Storm Erin Projected to Intensify into Major Hurricane by End of Week


  1. Results of Air Canada Flight Attendant Strike Vote Could be Known Tonight
  2. Tropical Storm Erin Likely to Become a Hurricane Today, Major Hurricane by the Weekend
  3. Here Are All the New Cruise Ships Coming in 2026, 2027, and Beyond
  4. Hurricane Erin Update: Storm Continues Northwest Path, Impacts Cruise Lines
  5. Hawaii Flights Resume, Cruise Ships Adjust After Pacific Tsunami Alerts
  6. Diana Ross No Longer Godmother of Star of the Seas
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage from all corners of the travel industry, from industry happenings to new cruise ships, hotel openings, tour updates, and much more.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Globus & Cosmos Unveil New Tours in Australia, New Zealand & Fiji
Globus & Cosmos Unveil New Tours in Australia, New Zealand & Fiji

Globus and Cosmos have expanded their South Pacific portfolio with three new tours in 2026.

Rental Escapes Adds New Destinations to Global Portfolio
Rental Escapes Adds New Destinations to Global Portfolio

The full-service luxury villa company has expanded its carefully vetted portfolio with properties in England and Austria.

As Europe Sets Date for New Border System, ETIAS Fee Triples to €20
As Europe Sets Date for New Border System, ETIAS Fee Triples to €20

As the EU sets a date for its new EES, the cost of its upcoming authorization requirement triples.

Perillo Adds Two New “City Pair” Tours
Perillo Adds Two New “City Pair” Tours

The new itineraries focus on two cities, allowing guests more time to fully experience the regions.

Barcelona to Cut Cruise Ship Capacity
Barcelona to Cut Cruise Ship Capacity

By 2030, Barcelona will have five cruise ship terminals instead of the current seven.

Why Nova Scotia Should Be on Every Traveler’s Radar in 2025
Why Nova Scotia Should Be on Every Traveler’s Radar in 2025

Canadian and U.S. travelers don’t have to venture far to discover a wealth of adventure, history, and unforgettable ocean views.

TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
View All
industry spotlight
https://img.youtube.com/vi/N94IRrC0rPk/0.jpg
How Travel Advisors Can Win with Interest Media
Advertiser's Voice
A Day in Antarctica on an HX Expedition Cruise
About Travel Market Report Mission Meet the Team Advisory Board Advertise Syndication Guidelines
TMR Resources Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
© 2005 - 2025 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Manage cookie preferences