Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) plan to start providing air travelers with free WiFi starting February 1 for Delta SkyMiles Members.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian said that 80% of Delta Airlines' domestic fleet will be in service for the month of February. This free WiFi will be available through T-Mobile in a newfound collaboration.
"At T-Mobile, we believe staying connected while traveling should be an easy, seamless experience," Mike Sievert, T-Mobile CEO, stated. "T-Mobile customers already get free in-flight Wi-Fi, and now we're partnering with Delta to bring that experience to all SkyMiles Members so that anyone flying Delta can enjoy online access from takeoff to touchdown."
Delta SkyMiles is the air carrier's frequent-flyer program that offers points to passengers on most fares, as well as to consumers who use Delta co-branded credit cards.
In the year 2023, travel is anticipated to increase significantly with people generally feeling like they are looking forward to traveling more so than they did in 2022. Although not all flights will carry free WiFi, at least at first, over 700 planes should have them by the end of 2023. In 2024, Delta plans to implement international and regional routes. In order to become enrolled in the free WiFi program, all that users are required to do is sign up for the SkyMiles number, which is completely free of charge.
According to T-Mobile, this service will be accessible on smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Beginning in the spring, the WiFi connection portal will show something known as the Delta Sync Exclusives hub, which will provide much more personalized content. It seems that for most travelers, remaining in touch with each other has become of paramount importance.
"The ability to stay connected while seeing the world is simply foundational. Delta's new partnership with T-Mobile signifies another exciting step forward as we lead the industry in delivering a differentiated onboard experience that's as comfortable and personalized as sitting in your own living room," said Bastian.