Viasat is a provider used by multiple airlines, including JetBlue, Virgin America, and United Airlines.
According to Delta’s schedule, by the end of August 2024, all flights to and from the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy should be able to offer all passengers fast, free Wi-Fi. In September 2024, all flights to and from Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland should be able to do the same. By the end of 2025, most of the airline’s long-haul international routes will be set up with Viasat technology to provide passengers with top-notch in-flight connectivity. (Note that fast, free Wi-Fi is already available on all Delta flights to and from France since July 2024.)
If you’re wondering why it takes so long for Delta to get this done, know that it’s because providing fast and reliable Wi-Fi to hundreds of people at a time on a moving plane requires a tweak or two to be done the aircraft. For each plane being equipped with Viasat technology, an antenna, a power supply, a modem, a server, and wireless access points need to be installed. And Delta has a fleet of nearly 1,000 airplanes. Also, you need a lot of high-capacity satellites for a thorough coverage throughout the world, and those don’t just magically pop up in the sky. All of that to say: fast, free in-flight Wi-Fi can’t happen overnight.
If you’re unsure that your upcoming international Delta flight will offer fast, free Wi-Fi, just check out the airline’s regularly updated list of aircrafts equipped with Viasat technology.
While initially passengers won’t need a SkyMiles membership to take advantage of the free in-flight Wi-Fi, Delta will eventually require it. Just make sure to join SkyMiles for free before your Delta flight — you don’t want to lose out on free Wi-Fi.
Or maybe you do. After all, up at 40,000 feet is about the only place in this world where you’re free from the shackles of constant connectivity and communication. But it’s up to you, really.
Delta is not the only US airline offering free Wi-Fi to all its passengers; JetBlue offers “high-speed wi-fi at every seat, on every plane” but warns that some flights outside of the US, the UK, and Europe might have unreliable service.
Turkish Airlines announced last month that it will soon offer free Wi-Fi to all its passengers, economy travelers included. 