What happened
Delta Air Lines says it has outfitted nearly 1,300 planes with complimentary Wi-Fi after a newly online satellite closed the last coverage gap over the Pacific. More than 95% of the fleet now supports free internet for every customer, with remaining installs due in the next few months. A Viasat satellite switch meant to boost bandwidth on Americas flights is due by Thanksgiving. Regional jets and Boeing 717s are finishing upgrades too.
Instead of Starlink, Delta signed on as Amazon's largest airline customer for Amazon Leo, which will not appear on Delta planes until 2028 and remains unproven. United has Starlink on 43% of its jets. Alaska is about 40% done, and Southwest expects to finish its fleet first. Those carriers plan to offer Starlink free to loyalty members. Delta's onboard internet faced customer-reported slowdowns earlier this year.
SkyMiles members can expect free Wi-Fi on almost every Delta flight, including transpacific routes, plus a bandwidth lift on Americas flying by Thanksgiving. Watch United and Alaska Starlink rollouts when cabin speed is the reason to switch.
- Announced
- Oct 20, 2026
- Numbers
- 95%: share of Delta planes equipped for free Wi-Fi
- 1,300 planes: Delta aircraft with complimentary Wi-Fi
- 43%: United jets with Starlink installed
- 40%: Alaska Airlines Starlink installation progress
- 2028 year: when Amazon Leo Wi-Fi is expected on Delta planes
- Where
- Pacific Ocean, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland
- Who qualifies
- Free Wi-Fi for every Delta customer; United, Alaska, and Southwest plan to offer Starlink free to loyalty-program members
- Links
- Offer page United Starlink installation tracker fleetradar.united.com
- Takeaway
- Count on free Wi-Fi on almost all Delta flights and a bandwidth lift on Americas flying by Thanksgiving, but weigh rival Starlink rollouts if speed is a reason to switch.