Is Free In-Flight Wi-Fi Going to Be the New Normal?

Delta Air Lines has revealed that it’s offering a two-week trial of free Wi-Fi onboard some flights. The test began on May 13th and will be available to those traveling on select domestic segments across all cabins. The test won’t allow streaming, but passengers can browse the Internet as normal.

Delta Air Lines has announced that it is trialing complimentary Wi-Fi in the cabin. The two-week test run began on May 13th and the carrier has announced that passengers traveling on about 55 daily domestic segments will be able to use the service, which will be accessible on certain short, medium and long-haul services.

This trial service won’t allow content streaming, but the carrier has confirmed passengers will still be able to e-mail, message and browse online while in the cabin.

Speaking of this trial run, Ekrem Dimbiloglu, Delta’s director of onboard product, said in a statement that, “Customers are accustomed to having access to free Wi-Fi during nearly every other aspect of their journey, and Delta believes it should be free when flying, too.” Recent results from Inmarsat’s latest Inflight Connectivity Survey prove what most frequent fliers already know: that more than half of airline passengers consider inflight Wi-Fi to be a crucial amenity (we’re, frankly, surprised that the number is that low) and many would give up in-flight beverages to get it. Hopefully, that last part won’t give airlines any ideas.

What analysts do think will catch on is Wi-Fi as a basic amenity across all airlines once Delta takes the plunge.

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