Skip to main content

Chat in the air: Delta rolls out free in-flight messaging

delta
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Delta Air Lines wants to make it easier for passengers to keep in touch with loved ones at 30,000 feet. Starting October 1, the world’s second-largest airline carrier will begin extending complimentary messaging to passengers on international and domestic flights.

Free mobile messaging will roll out to all Delta aircraft with Gogo Inflight Internet, which covers all but 130 airplanes in the airline’s 1,300-strong fleet. Once enabled via Delta’s in-flight portal page, compatible apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger will come online automatically without the need for additional configuration.

Recommended Videos

But don’t get your hopes up for in-flight selfies. Delta’s free messaging doesn’t support videos, photos, or audio messages, meaning you’ll have to wait until you hit the tarmac to send anything more than a text.

“We know many of Delta’s customers want or need to stay connected in the air and on the ground, which is why we’re investing in an easy, free way to send and receive messages in-flight through some of the most popular global platforms,” Tim Mapes, Delta’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, said in a press release. “Coupled with our investments in seatback screens, free entertainment, and high-speed Wi-Fi, free messaging is one more way customers can choose how to make the most of their time on Delta flights.”

Delta says it’s the first global carrier based in the U.S. to offer a complimentary messaging plan, but many of its competitors already extend free in-flight data to customers. Earlier this year, JetBlue waived Wi-Fi fees on all domestic and international flights, and international passengers on Emirates get up to 20MB of data for two hours. Separately, T-Mobile bundles free texting on Gogo-enabled Delta, United, American, and Virgin flights with most of its mobile plans.

But it’s a welcome improvement over the $2 fee Delta used to charge for in-flight messaging.

If you do shell out for Wi-Fi on your next Delta flight, you’ll get to take advantage of the airline’s upgrades. Delta says that over the next two years, it’ll install Gogo’s 2Ku Wi-Fi technology, a next-generation in-flight wireless system that supports streaming video and work-related VPN networks, in more than 600 aircraft for domestic and international flights. To date, it’s rolled out the system to 200.

Kyle Wiggers
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kyle Wiggers is a writer, Web designer, and podcaster with an acute interest in all things tech. When not reviewing gadgets…
The best Apple iPhone 16 Plus cases for 2024
A person taking a photo with the Apple iPhone 16 Plus.

The iPhone 16 series is available now, including the big and powerful iPhone 16 Plus. While you're choosing exactly what color you want for your shiny new phone, you should also look into a case to protect it from those times when you have butterfingers.

Although the iPhone 16 Plus is plenty durable on its own, a case can help you show off its design while protecting it against scratches. Even if you are really careful and you don't drop your phone, a touchscreen in the same pocket as your car keys is a recipe for disaster. Even a short drop can shatter a screen if it hits at the right angle. A good case will protect not only the screen but the cameras, sides, and ports of the phone, too.

Read more
The best Android phones in 2024: the 15 best ones you can buy
The OnePlus 12 and Pixel 8's screens.

When purchasing a new Android phone, several essential factors must be considered. Do you prefer a large screen for watching videos and playing games? How important is camera performance, especially if you enjoy taking high-quality photos? Are you someone who enjoys gaming on your phone and requires a device with excellent performance? Or do you need long-lasting battery life to keep up with your busy schedule?

This article aims to help you find the best Android phone that meets your specific needs in 2024. We have compiled a comprehensive list of Android phones catering to every type of requirement, including screen size, camera quality, gaming performance, and battery life.

Read more
Spotify vs. Pandora: which streaming service should you choose?
spotify vs pandora on iphone

Let's settle a musical debate: which music streaming platform should you use: Spotify or Pandora?

Both services have their unique strengths and weaknesses. Spotify boasts a more extensive music catalog, robust social features for sharing and discovering music with friends, and a more polished user experience across devices.

Read more