Delta is outfitting nearly all of its domestic mainline fleet with best-in-class high-speed Wi-Fi by the end of 2022.
The airline will initially equip more than 300 aircraft with high-speed (Ka-Band) satellite connectivity, powered by Viasat, by the end of 2021 – setting in motion an aggressive installation timeline and scale to modernise the onboard experience.
“Technology and entertainment are key parts of our customers’ lives,” said Byron Merritt – VP of Brand Experience. “By equipping our fleet with enhanced Wi-Fi capabilities, we are taking steps to ensure we can adapt to the different ways our customers will use technology during their journey both today and in the future.”
The new Wi-Fi system delivers a reliable and streaming quality connection to everyone onboard – a critical capability for Delta’s vision for the future customer experience. Beginning in June, customers on Viasat-enabled aircraft will have access to enhanced connectivity for a simple and consistent US$8 per flight per device no matter their destination.
Passengers need just join the DeltaWifi.com network on a laptop or mobile device and purchase Wi-Fi access using the new Delta Portal Platform – the front page to the onboard experience coming later this summer to Viasat-enabled aircraft.
With the Delta Portal Platform, customers will be able to connect, purchase, browse and stream from their device of choice. The Delta Portal Platform also gives customers access to free messaging available today and their favourite Delta.com services at no extra charge. The platform is also built to evolve as customer needs change, with new features planned for later this year.
As additional aircraft are outfitted with enhanced connectivity and the Delta Portal Platform, customers can expect a unified and consistent Delta-branded experience across all Viasat-enabled aircraft.
Delta’s first Viasat-enabled aircraft, a new Airbus A321ceo, will enter regular service on 1 May. The company will test and closely monitor connectivity performance on this initial aircraft, with additional aircraft scheduled to enter service in June beginning with remaining new A321ceos, 737-900 and 757-200 aircraft – fleets that historically operate on routes with high customer volume. The airline plans to outfit these fleets with the new service by the end of 2021.
