Hello everyone…I apologize that it’s been so long since my last comprehensive Wi-Fi update. I’ve been doing a lot of traveling for work lately and a lot of the Wi-Fi activity has been focused on pre-installation activities. But things have picked up again and we’ve got a ton of cool stuff to share…
As of this update Delta has installed Wi-Fi on more than 51% of the combined (pre-merger Delta + Northwest) domestic mainline fleet, which is a total of 269 out of 520 planes. We’ve completed the MD88 and MD90 fleets and have recently ramped up installations across the 757-200 and 737-800 fleets. Engineering teams are on track to cross the 300 aircraft mark by the end of 2009.
Over the past month we’ve also installed Wi-Fi on three additional aircraft types…the A319, A320 and 757-300. We’re still awaiting the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for these three types but expect them to be operational in December.
The really BIG news, however, is that we’re teaming up with eBay to provide complimentary access to every customer on every Wi-Fi-enabled flight from Nov. 24-30. It’s a win-win-win partnership in that our customers get free access, eBay is able to reach an entirely new audience and we’re able to build awareness about the Wi-Fi product via a new channel.
In fact, we expect more than 1 million customers will be able to benefit from the promotion during Thanksgiving week (just enter the promo code EBAYWIFI). That’s a lot of people doing their holiday shopping on eBay, sending instant messages and updating Facebook…all while 7 miles up and speeding through the sky at 530 mph!
Given the amount of engineering and scheduling work that’s gone into scoping and installing Wi-Fi on 9 different aircraft types and nearly 300 planes, it’s pretty amazing that in less than one year we’ve gone from zero planes with Wi-Fi to the world’s largest Wi-Fi-enabled fleet and the most expansive Wi-Fi network in the sky…and that’s all due to the outstanding work of our Engineering teams and partners at Aircell.
I’d love to hear your feedback about your Wi-Fi experiences on Delta. I’ll be traveling during over the holidays (NRT-SGN-BKK-SIN-MNL) but will post the next update during the first week of December. Until then, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
MD88: 117 A/C (All)
M90: 16 A/C (All)
B737-700: 1 A/C
B737-800: 24 A/C
B757: 103 A/C
B753: 1 A/C (Awaiting STC)
B767: 5 A/C
A319: 1 A/C (Awaiting STC)
A320: 1 A/C (Awaiting STC)
Chris B., Sr Product Manager, IFE
*Offers subject to change. Use of the Gogo service is subject to terms of use available at gogoinflight.com.
November 17th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Chris, good to hear and exciting, so far my experiences have been nothing but excellent, the wi-fi makes the time fly. Looking forward to a Jan. trip from FLL to LAX on 737-800 and LAX to LIH 757 hopefully both will be equipped! Great job to the teams involved!
November 17th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
I will be traveling just before Christmas this year so I’m crossing my fingers that I will be on a Wi-Fi bird. I’m really anxious to see how it works. I’ve only heard rave reviews about it!
November 18th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Thank you for the update, Chris. I am a big fan of the Wi-Fi service. I find it to be highly reliable. It is enormously helpful in helping me remain productive while I’m traveling. It’s another feather in Delta’s cap and was a significant factor why I recently chose DL over another airline for a cross-country business trip.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Thanks for the update! It’s good to hear that things are progressing so well. Impressive numbers for one year! I have used wifi for everything from Facebook to streaming audio and video. It works very well and helps fill the time on long flights.
Question….are there going to be power installations on the MD-88’s, 90’s, and 737 800’s?
November 18th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
JT-While the 757 may be equipped with WiFi, it will not work over water(I think 50-150 miles) past the coastline. Its not a satellite service like Alaska Air and Southwest are testing.
rcvideo-as far as I know, there is power in first class on the 737-800s only.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
rcvideo…there are currently no plans to install power on the MD88s or MD90s given that most MD88/90 flights are under 3 hours. We’re evaluating options for the addition of power outlets across other fleet types.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
royal-jet-service…HH thanks for the props on the Wi-Fi…and I’m thrilled to hear the product swayed your decision to choose Delta!
We’ll be rolling out new ways of identifying Wi-Fi-equipped flights online in the first quarter of 2010.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Chris B: Thanks for the update. I love the service and appreicate the new post (especially the update on the 737-800’s). Question: I’ve been on two flights with malfunctioning Wifi. One time there was no gogo to connect to and the other time I did connect to gogo (got IP address) but there was no internet connection (others on the plane had same problem). Is there anything the crew can do to fix this? Can I give them any suggestions? What is the process to notify someone at Delta with malfunctioning Wifi?
Thanks!
P.S. It works probably 90% of the time for me … these are the exceptions.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Hi- I’ll be on an international flight on Delta’s 767-300ER. Any idea if it will have wi-fi available? Also, I’d love to know if these planes have LCD screens in economy class for entertainment.
Thanks for doing this blog! It’s been a great source of information!
Ashley
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:52 am
Ashley:
Wifi is available only across the continental US.
You can find some basic information about wifi on the page
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/inflight_services/products/wi-fi.jsp.
About the entertainment options I am not sure. If my memory serves me correctly the 767-300ERs don’t get AVOD but it may be the case that the CRTs are or do get replaced with LCD screens.
But I am sure someone else can help you on this.
Have a great flight!