Delta Air Lines has begun rolling out free Wi-Fi on international flights, with most routes to Europe expected to have the service by the end of September, the carrier announced this week.
Most of Delta's flights within the United States got free Wi-Fi in 2023. According to the company, more than 90% of the airline's mainline domestic fleet now offers free Wi-Fi from T-Mobile (you do not have to be a T-Mobile customer to log on).
This summer, Delta started providing free Wi-Fi access on some international routes aboard the carrier's Viasat-equipped widebody aircraft.
First up were flights to and from France. Complimentary Wi-Fi became available on trips between that country and the U.S. in July, just in time for the Paris Olympic Games.
Now Delta has released a timeline for opening the digital floodgates in the rest of the world.
When Delta Plans to Roll Out Free Wi-Fi on International Flights
According to Delta's official timeline, here's when smartphone, tablet, and laptop users can expect to access free Wi-Fi on overseas flights to and from the United States:
• by the end of August 2024: routes to the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and Italy
• September 2024: Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland
• October 2024: South America—Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru—and Hawaii
• December 2024/January 2025: Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal
• mid- to late 2025: Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa
Delta's network of regional airlines in the United States is expected to come online, too, at some unspecified point in 2025.
Note that all of the above dates are subject to change based on satellite availability and other technical matters.
How to Access Delta's Free Wi-Fi on International Flights
Initially, Delta's international Wi-Fi portal won't require logging in via the airline's SkyMiles loyalty program, the company says. You'll just join the network in your device's Wi-Fi settings.
Once the rollout is complete, though, the free Wi-Fi will be part of the "Delta Sync" in-flight entertainment system, which requires a SkyMiles membership to use. Fortunately, joining that is free. (You'll also need a SkyMiles membership to get free Wi-Fi on Delta's domestic flights.)
Don't be surprised if the Wi-Fi is spotty during your trip. Though Delta touts its "streaming-quality connectivity," the airline also warns that "there are unfortunately some coverage gaps where Wi-Fi is not available until additional satellites are positioned to provide full coverage."
Other U.S. Airlines That Offer Free Wi-Fi
This is a short list. The sole entry is JetBlue.
Although American Airlines offers a 30-minute taste of free Wi-Fi to passengers who agree to watch a short video ad, the service is otherwise restricted to users who pay extra, so it's not fully free, no matter how American tries to spin things.
Until Delta finally finishes its rollout, that leaves JetBlue as the only U.S. airline that offers free Wi-Fi at every seat on every plane without exceptions.
