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Delta Launching WiFi on International Flights

July 02, 2012
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3 min read
Delta Launching WiFi on International Flights
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Depending on how you look at it, one of the best, or worst, parts of international flying is the lack of internet access. Some people are happy to disconnect for a long-haul oceanic flight—kick back, watch movies, get some sleep, and worry about the emails that streamed in when they get to their destination.

Me, I’d rather stay connected even while I’m in the air. Whenever possible, I take domestic flights I know are equipped with WiFi, and that’s one of the reasons I’ve been so loyal to Delta. The airline has been an industry leader in the US for WiFi availability aboard its planes—over 800 of its planes including Delta Connection regional jets and all 550 of its domestic mainline aircraft have it already.

Delta's already an industry leader in WiFi-equipped domestic flights in the US, and soon it will be internationally as well.

United only offers it on its p.s. transcontinental routes (with plans to equip 300 of its planes with WiFi in the coming years),US Airways it on their A321 aircraft, Virgin America’s planes have it (if only their frequent flyer program were better!) and American is at least starting to put it on its domestic fleet as well, though not as quickly as I’d like since I still get stuck on flights without internet access. (Right now over 300 AA planes have it, including all 767-200 aircraft, with the goal of putting it on all 737′s and MD80′s by the end of 2012, and all 757′s next year). AirTran has wifi on all their planes as well and Alaska Airlines has it on select 737 planes.

Following the lead of a few international airlines like Emirates and Qantas, who has been trial-ing WiFi aboard its A380’s from Sydney and Melbourne to LA, however, Delta just announced it will begin offering in-flight internet service beginning in early 2013 on its long-haul international fleet, which is comprised of over 150 aircraft, including Boeing 747, 757, 767 and 777, and Airbus 330 aircraft. Cathay is planning to roll out WiFi trials on its international fleet this year, and Singapore Airlines is expected to as well.

You could be doing this on long-haul transoceanic flights soon.

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So for all you shirkers out there, your days of disconnecting might be numbered as we enter a new age of internationally available WiFi. For the rest of you fellow worker bees, those frantic mad dashes to send a last email before the cabin door closes might soon be behind us as well.

But what do you think?

[poll id="21"]

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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4XEarn 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.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

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. (Partner offer)

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.