Delta provides a free Wi-Fi update, but it's not all good news
There's some mixed news about Delta Air Lines' free, fleet-wide Wi-Fi rollout.
Starting with the positive updates, the Atlanta-based carrier has officially enabled free Wi-Fi on all transatlantic voyages to and from Europe, West Africa and Israel. This means that travelers on most transatlantic flights can connect to the internet by simply signing into their SkyMiles account.
(The notable exclusion for transatlantic free Wi-Fi service is on service to and from Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa.)
Furthermore, Delta will also roll out free Wi-Fi on international routes to South America later this spring.
However, Delta noted that internet connectivity could vary depending on aircraft positioning relative to the internet satellites in the air. For instance, some polar routes might not have connectivity for the entire flight.
Stateside, the carrier has officially begun replacing its most ancient air-to-ground Wi-Fi service with a far-upgraded connectivity experience. This includes the airline's regional jets, which will soon receive Hughes Wi-Fi antennas to not only enable faster, more reliable gate-to-gate connectivity but also provide free internet access on these planes.
The airline has completed its first CRJ-700 internet retrofit, with more upgraded regional jets expected to enter service in the coming months. (This is a similar solution to what American is doing on its regional jets, but American still charges for Wi-Fi.)
As part of the regional jet upgrades, Delta will also start equipping its Boeing 717 mainline fleet with a dual-network connectivity solution. It wasn't immediately clear which provider and configuration Delta would use on the 717 fleet, but the airline said in 2023 that it was partnering with Hughes Network Systems to bring Wi-Fi to these planes.
Boeing 717 internet upgrades aren't going to kick off until the fourth quarter of this year, with full completion slated for early next year — representing a roughly yearlong delay from the original timeline.
Delta also said that select upcoming deliveries of select new Airbus A350-1000 and Airbus A321neo will be equipped with a dual-network internet experience. TPG reached out to a spokesperson to learn more about these upgrades and will update this story when we hear back.
But while Delta has done a great job equipping most of its fleet with free Wi-Fi, some major exceptions remain, including transpacific flights and service to South Africa.
When it first announced free Wi-Fi at the Consumer Electronic Show in 2023, the airline said that it would fully complete the rollout by the end of 2024. Last year, that timeline slipped until some point in 2025, and now, once again, the timeline is being delayed until 2026 — at the earliest.
The airline hasn't shared when it plans to complete the free Wi-Fi rollout, which is likely frustrating to flyers on routes that still feature paid (and less reliable) Wi-Fi.
Even more concerning to folks in Atlanta might be the catch-up game that United Airlines is playing with free Wi-Fi. The Chicago-based carrier announced last year that it would install free fleet-wide Starlink Wi-Fi, which is poised to be even faster and more reliable than Delta's existing free Wi-Fi provider, Viasat.
Of course, United just got its first jet certified with free Wi-Fi, so Delta still has United beat by more than 700 aircraft. (The undisputed leader in free Wi-Fi is JetBlue, which offers free Viasat connectivity on every single jet in the fleet.)
That said, United is promising an accelerated rollout schedule across its regional fleet, so perhaps the Chicago-based carrier will do the same when it comes time to equip its mainline fleet.
Either way, the good news is that onboard internet is getting faster, more reliable and considerably more affordable (if not free) across the board.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.