Free Wi-Fi in the sky is taking off.
Once a rare luxury, gratis time online is becoming a marketing tool in the ever-competitive airline industry. In fact, no fewer than four airlines now either offer free Wi-Fi or soon will.
Following are the carriers that let you surf the web as you fly through the sky.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines announced on Jan. 5 that it is teaming up with T-Mobile to offer free Wi-Fi access to all travelers who join the airline’s free SkyMiles rewards program.
The free Wi-Fi program rolls out beginning on Feb. 1, when most of its domestic mainline aircraft will offer the perk.
Delta hopes to have free Wi-Fi on all international and regional aircraft by the end of 2024.
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines announced in April 2022 it is joining forces with Starlink to provide free internet access to its passengers flying from Hawaii to the continental U.S, Asia and Oceania. The airline said at the time that it planned to launch the complimentary Wi-Fi service sometime in 2023.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue was the first major U.S. airline to offer free Wi-Fi to all customers.
Service currently is available on all flights over the mainland U.S., and some planes also offer coverage over much of the Caribbean and Central America. JetBlue’s Airbus A321 Long Range aircraft offers Wi-Fi service to and from London.
Norwegian Air
Norwegian offers Wi-Fi on most of its flights.
It notes, however, that some regions do not allow Wi-Fi transmissions, which results in an interruption of service in those places. Also, the airline’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 is not yet equipped with Wi-Fi, so internet access isn’t currently available on that model plane.
The airline also offers “something a little speedier” for those who are willing to pay for internet access.
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