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Few things are more convenient than staying connected while you're in the sky. Delta Air Lines understands that, too. The Atlanta-based carrier has been hard at work improving the onboard experience over the past year and a half to reflect that.
In January 2023, Delta announced bold plans to introduce free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members across its entire global fleet by the end of 2024. However, operational delays indicate the project shouldn't finish until sometime in 2025.
But we do have good news to share: Nearly Delta's entire domestic mainline fleet is Wi-Fi equipped, with the bulk of what's remaining being its long-haul and regional jets.
Here's what travelers need to know about the status of the expansive free Delta Wi-Fi rollout.
Most Mainline Delta Jets Are Now Wi-Fi Equipped
After months of retrofitting, Delta noted last November that more than 700 domestic mainline aircraft are equipped with the new Delta Sync Wi-Fi product. Delta's fleet is huge, so that was solid progress in a relatively short amount of time.
Which Delta aircraft have free Wi-Fi
Currently, Delta's website indicates that fast, free Wi-Fi is only available on its domestic mainline jets. Namely, the following aircraft should have free Wi-Fi by now:
- Airbus A220-300
- Airbus A319
- Airbus A320
- Airbus A321
- Airbus A321neo
- Boeing 737-800
- Boeing 737-900
- Boeing 757-200 (H and D variants)
Delta aircraft with paid Wi-Fi
The vast remainder of Delta's fleet — mostly long-haul and regional jets — have paid Wi-Fi options provided by ViaSat or Wi-Fi Onboard. Here are the Delta aircraft types with paid Wi-Fi:
- Airbus A330-200
- Airbus A330-300
- Airbus A330-900
- Airbus A350
- Boeing 757-300
- Boeing 767-300
- Boeing 767-400
- Mitsubishi CRJ700
- Mitsubishi CRJ900
- Embraer ERJ170/175
Delta Wi-Fi coverage map and limitations
Moreover, Delta's Wi-Fi coverage worldwide is limited. Per Delta's coverage map, flights transiting certain regions won't feature coverage at all, even if the flight is operated by a Wi-Fi-equipped plane. By region, coverage looks like this:
- United States (contiguous 48 States): Full Wi-Fi coverage
- Hawaii & Alaska: No Wi-Fi coverage over the Pacific Ocean
- Canada & Mexico: Full Wi-Fi coverage
- Europe: Full Wi-Fi coverage
- South America: Limited Wi-Fi coverage
- Asia: No Wi-Fi coverage
- Africa: No Wi-Fi coverage
It's reasonable to believe Delta will work to expand its connectivity as it brings more jets online. We hope.
How To Tell if You'll Get Delta Free Wi-Fi on Your Flight
The above assumptions won't assure whether your next flight will have Delta free Wi-Fi. But Delta's website will. You'll see it on a banner above select itineraries like this:
Assuming the Wi-Fi works on your aircraft as expected, you should have Delta free Wi-Fi on your flight if you see the banner above your itinerary.
Delta International and Regional Aircraft Wi-Fi Rollout
If the bulk of your Delta flying is confined to long-haul jets or the Boeing 717, Delta plans to complete free Wi-Fi installation on these planes by the end of 2025.
To celebrate the Olympics, Delta rolled out free Wi-Fi on international flights to France in July 2024. Here's Delta's published rollout schedule for additional international routes:
- August 2024: 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, and Peru) followed by Hawaii
- December 2024/January 2025: Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal
- Mid-Late 2025: Transpacific flights to Asia, Australia, and New Zealand — and South Africa
2024 and 2025 also will see Delta Connection planes that belong to Endeavor Air, SkyWest Airlines, and Republic Airways retrofitted with new Wi-Fi, which is huge. The Delta Connection fleet comprises 316 aircraft — 17 CRJ-700s, 157 CRJ-900s, 11 Embraer 170s, and 131 Embraer 175s.
Final Thoughts
Delta is investing plenty of resources into upgrading its onboard experience, and introducing a top-notch Wi-Fi experience across its global fleet by the end of 2025 is part of that endeavor.
If you're a Delta SkyMiles member who loves to stay connected while flying, you'll appreciate the extra savings and functionality of having fast, free Wi-Fi at your fingertips. It's only a matter of time until Delta free Wi-Fi is available on every jet.
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