Virgin America to Start Charging for ViaSat Wi-Fi Service
Earlier this month, Alaska Airlines confirmed that it would be acquiring Virgin America — a deal worth roughly $4 billion. And while we don't know too much about the acquisition as of yet, we do know one change that Virgin will be making to its product before the acquisition is near finalization.
Starting later this month, Virgin America will begin charging customers to use its super fast satellite Wi-Fi. In July 2015, the carrier launched a partnership with ViaSat to bring its next-generation satellite-based Wi-Fi service to 10 A320s (53 of its aircraft still offer Gogo's ATG-4 service). The new Wi-Fi service is said to be eight to 10 times faster than other in-flight Wi-Fi services, providing travelers with Wi-Fi speeds similar to what they have at home. With it, passengers can stream everything from movies to HD YouTube videos, and, of course, browse the web and check email.
And now, the service is no longer complimentary. Virgin America will start charging travelers for its fast in-flight satellite Wi-Fi now that it's out of beta testing. Here is the cost breakdown for the service:
| Service Type | Flight Length | Price |
|---|---|---|
Short Haul i.e. LAX-SFO | <2 hours | $4.99 |
Short-Medium Haul i.e. SFO-DEN | 2-3 hours | $7.99 |
Medium Haul i.e. DAL-LAS | 3-4 hours | $9.99 |
Medium-Long Haul i.e. DAL-LGA | 4-5 hours | $13.99 |
Long Haul i.e. SFO-JFK | >5 hours | $17.99 |
There are some exceptions to the new fee. Gogo monthly and annual pass holders can access the ViaSat Wi-Fi for free. Virgin America and Gogo will send an email to pass holders with promo codes to connect. Pass holders can also use the ViaSat portal live chat once in-flight for assistance in starting a free session with the Wi-Fi service.
In addition, Virgin America Elevate Gold members will have complimentary access to ViaSat Wi-Fi through the end of 2016. Elevate Gold members should check their Communication Preferences under My Account to receive promotional emails from Virgin America with free ViaSat Wi-Fi codes. In addition, Elevate Gold members can also use the ViaSat portal live chat for assistance in starting a free session.
If you're looking to gain status with Virgin America, consider enrolling in a status match. If you have status with American, Delta, United or Southwest, you can enroll in a match for either Elevate Silver or Elevate Gold status. If you have either of Virgin America's credit cards, the threshold for maintaining that status through the end of 2017 is lowered — 3,000 Status Points for Elevate Silver and 8,000 Status Points for Elevate Gold (5,000 and 12,000 for Silver and Gold, respectively, for non-cardholders).
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees