Hey everyone…
Just a quick Wi-Fi update for those techies who appreciate the details. As of tonight, Delta will have 13 aircraft (11 MD88s and 2 B757-200s) equipped with Wi-Fi.
MD88 Tails: 908, 947, 9008, 9009, 9010, 9011, 9012, 9013, 9014, 9015, 9017
B757-200 Tails: 640 and 692
We’ve got several other aircraft in the hangar in the queue. I’ll update with the latest installs each Friday.
Thanks and have a great weekend!
Chris B.
Product Manager – IFE
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:10 pm
It would be absolutely fantastic if Delta could state on the flight-status or somewhere whether or not the plane is equipped with Wi-Fi. It’s really great that Delta is doing this on all its domestic planes rather than just one model (cough cough American). In my opinion, this really separates Delta from its competitors. Great job guys!
January 24th, 2009 at 8:25 am
thanks Chris for agreeing to post this weekly – I’m looking forward to following along (guilty techie!).
Whats the average number of planes you are hoping to upgrade each week?
Thanks,
Neil
(secretly hoping his JFK LAS 737′s will be upgraded by end of March)
January 24th, 2009 at 11:32 am
How can we know if our flight is Wi-Fi enabled? Last time I checked the tail numbers didn’t display when making reservations.
January 24th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Thanks for the information! When is the roll out planned to be expanded to Northwest aircraft?
January 24th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Awesome! Now you just gotta add it to some 767′s coming to HNL =)
Seriously, though… What is the initial plan for WiFi rollout? All the MD88 and B757′s? What other aircraft?
Oh, and can you explain where the heck the power port is in coach on the planes? Because I’ve never found one…
January 25th, 2009 at 12:22 am
This is great to know. Thanks!
Here’s another idea to make this even more helpful: Continental Airlines displays the ship number of the particular aircraft operating a flight in the flight status section. Can you do the same? I know I would love to know in advance (even if just a few hours) which ship I’ll be on.
I’m not sure in particular about ship 692, but I think it would be best if the Wi-Fi implementation started with aircraft that currently don’t have the best entertainment options. Working with the MD-88s was the best thing you could do. However, I recall 640 being a Song aircraft with the Delta on Demand (is that the correct name for the live television? Or do you just call it Dish Network? It’s not LiveTV, I know that’s for sure). It would make more sense to work on aircraft that still have the vintage CRT displays in the aisles (I know 678 has those, as well as the ex-Shanghai jet).
January 25th, 2009 at 10:11 am
How about wifi.delta.com or delta.com/wifi with a listing of ship numbers that are wifi capable?
January 25th, 2009 at 11:52 am
I agree with getting some consistency on power on board etc. It seems like my 38 minute leg always has power and sometimes VOD…but my 4.5hr leg has none of the above. I would think that equipping the planes that do the longer flights would get preference.
ALSO…I really think that this service should be FREE for PLATINUM at least.
Another alternative is for GOGO to partner with BOINGO..
January 25th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Out of Topic.but unclear where I can post here..
It would be great if delta.com let me see the first class seats once I have an itinerary…see if an upgrade is possible. The best would be if you could see where you are in the upgrade list…… e.g. Upgrade Loc: 5
January 25th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Jayo Z,
I see what you’re saying about adding the WIFI first to airplanes that do not have the best IFE. This makes sense, however, if installing the WIFI in no particular order allows DL to get the job done faster, then I think they should continue installing the way they are.
Also, keep in mind that Delta is competing with American Airlines and jetBlue with similar products. Now, Delta operates the ex-Song 757′s on the transcontinental routes where American and jetBlue have their WIFI. I feel that it would be very smart to get WIFI on JFK- SFO/ LAX ASAP for competition issues.
-Skymiler
January 25th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Excellent information Chris! And I think it’s great that you will update us weekly. Looking forward to seeing how many you guys can crank out.
January 25th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
All great questions and suggestions…I’m going to answer all the questions above in this reply…
As simple as it sounds to add the ship number to the flight info on delta.com would be a complex task. However we’re working on creating an indicator by fleet type that will be displayed during the flight search.
We have multiple mod lines going on both the M88 and 752 fleets. TechOps is still ramping up but we anticipate having the entire M88 fleet complete by late March…of course timelines are always fluid. I promise to update the blog with the latest ships with Wi-Fi on a weekly basis.
The rollout plan is to install Wi-Fi on the M88 fleet with a parallel 752 mod line going…the M90s, 737s and 767s (domestic a/c) will follow.
110V power ports are available in the Business class cabin of all our international A330, B747, B757, B767 and B777 aircraft.
110v power ports are available in the first 10 rows of Economy o select aircraft.
USB powerports (for a media player or mobile phone) are located at every seat in the Economy cabin of all a/c that feature Delta on Demand.
January 25th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
An indicator would work just fine in my opinion. It was said that “the M90s, 737s and 767s (domestic a/c) will follow.” What about the DC9, A319, A320, and regional aircraft?
January 25th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
This is great news. I’m glad to see WiFi finally reach the skies!
January 26th, 2009 at 4:04 am
Hi, though this is not wifi related, I wanted to chime in on Delta.
1) I think you guys are all doing a great job with this blog. I am work in social media in San Francisco and you have put tremendous effort into reaching out to customers and getting feedback via social media.
2) I had recently submitted a request/complaint via your corporate customer care email. A “Charles Noble” responded to me initially, but has yet to address my questions or concerns, only stating company policies. It’s been I thought your blog would be a faster way to get an answer.
I hope all is well. Continue to reach out to customers, listen to their feedback/complaints, and treat them fairly.
-Eric Wu
ericwu01@gmail.com
January 26th, 2009 at 9:34 am
I second that this is great news. Thanks Delta for being the best! And Chris, please keep us posted.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Can you also provide an update on the Delta on Demand roll-out. There used to be more information, but I am not reading any news. When will the entire fleet have DoD?
January 26th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Well I’m headed to Orlando was hoping on getting the 757-200 they have at 4 Oclock, but I will be leaving later in the day
January 27th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I flew on a MD88 flight on Sunday from Boston to Fort Lauderdale, and the service worked great!!!! I was able to watch my Slingbox at home for almost 2 hours with no dropouts and a data rate of almost 1200kbps..
I was also on a flight on Sunday from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta on one of the 757′s, and you could see the wi-fi signal, but the service was not set up on it…
January 28th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Skymiler,
You raise an incredible point. Competition should be taken care of first, then work on less-critical aircraft.
Just a quick question: is there any content-filtering present? I’m going to write a paper for my ITGS class about this topic, and I want to use that issue. I also need to interview a “high-level stakeholder” for the extension; one of my assistant scoutmasters is a DL flight attendant (he usually does French European routes from JFK), and though he hasn’t encountered the Wi-Fi yet he said he would try to get me in touch with a project manager. This could be exciting =]
January 29th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
All…I’m traveling Friday (I’ll be enroute to TLV) so will provide the Wi-Fi update on Monday. Have a great weekend.
Chris
January 29th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Have a good flight Chris!
February 6th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I am so stoked about trying the new wifi. I think it’s really going to improve productivity and enjoyment while flying.
Chris are you able to forecast the availability, or not, on the regional carriers. Are they involved in this upgrade with Delta? I was asking a Skywest flight attendant about it and they had no clue.
February 8th, 2009 at 4:24 am
Hey Chris,
I am extremely greatful that at least something is looking up for someone! YEAH DELTA! I also like the other bloggers think it will be a homerun to have WIFI at the fingertips. Is there any specific routes right now that are already WIFI Equipped, or just certain planes? Also, will there be a speed differentials/compatibility issues due to the different types of wireless cards (ABGN)? Also, being a Frequent Flyer, I have noticed that you have ethernet ports. If you just wanted to connect with a cord too, is that going to be an option as well? Hope you had a great trip to Tel Aviv, Israel! I look forward to hearing from all of you soon!