What was the first airline to offer free Wi-Fi?

What was the first airline to offer free Wi-Fi? This pricing model still exists on many carriers but should be on its way out soon. JetBluebecame the first U.S. airline back in 2013 to offer free Wi-Fi to all passengers using its Fly-Fi offering. And this status quo did not change much for a long time until recently.

When did Delta get free Wi-Fi?

Delta became the first major U.S. airline to introduce fast, free Wi-Fi for all, in partnership with T-Mobile. The experience is available on most domestic mainline aircraft as of Feb. 1, with full availability on international and regional aircraft by the end of 2024.

How much has Delta spent by offering free Wi-Fi?

Delta has spent more than $1 billion upgrading its planes to offer free Wi-Fi to customers. The airline uses Viasat, one of the leading providers of satellite internet, to deliver Wi-Fi on board. CNBC got an inside look at how Delta is working to upgrade over 1,200 planes by 2024.

Does JetBlue have free Wi-Fi?

All JetBlue planes are equipped with free, high-speed Wi-Fi. Some flights traveling outside of the continental United States - with the exception of Europe and the UK - may have unavailable service. Heads-up! Due to weather and other variables, this coverage area does not necessarily guarantee service availability.

How fast is Wi-Fi on a plane?

The maximum speeds for these systems are currently around 5 megabits per second (which is shared by hundreds of passengers), according to Andrew Zignani, a research director at technology intelligence firm ABI Research who specializes in wireless connectivity.

Which airline has the fastest Wi-Fi?

Delta and Virgin America tied for the fastest in-flight Wi-Fi at speeds up to 15 Mbps. If you're simply looking for the fastest in-flight Wi-Fi, go for Delta or Virgin America. However, while both these airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi up to 15 Mbps, they vary in price enormously.

Is Delta Wi-Fi free for everyone?

Yes, Delta currently has free Wi-Fi and entertainment for passengers, and the capabilities have been extended to most domestic flights on Feb. 1, 2023.

Is Delta Wi-Fi per device?

Delta became the first major U.S. airline to introduce fast, free Wi-Fi for all, in partnership with T-Mobile. The experience is available on most domestic mainline aircraft as of Feb. 1, with full availability on international and regional aircraft by the end of 2024.

Why don t airlines offer free Wi-Fi?

“It can cost millions of dollars just to equip one airplane with high-speed internet,” says Ryan Ewing, the founder of the Airline Geeks blog. “It's certainly not cheap. It depends a lot [more] on the actual hardware than it does on just flipping a switch and going, 'Okay, can we make it free? '”

Which airlines give free Wi-Fi?

Do planes have Wi-Fi over the ocean?

Airplane Wi-Fi can work over the ocean, but the plane has to use a different method than the one used over land. Over large bodies of water, a plane will connect to satellites that in turn connect to ground stations. You may notice slight delays when using Wi-Fi while traveling over the ocean.