Airline WiFi 3 min read

How to use Delta Wi-Fi? - Complete Guide

Delta offers free WiFi on most flights. Learn how to connect to Delta WiFi, speeds to expect, login process, and pricing. Test your in-flight connection speed.

Quick Answer

Delta Air Lines offers free WiFi on most domestic flights for SkyMiles members (free to join). International flights have paid WiFi with free messaging. Speeds range from 3-5 Mbps (standard) to 10-15 Mbps (streaming-capable) depending on your aircraft.

Need to connect now? Visit DeltaWiFi.com on your device after takeoff.

How to Connect to Delta WiFi

Step-by-Step Connection Guide

  1. Enable Airplane Mode on your device
  2. Turn WiFi back on (keep airplane mode enabled)
  3. Connect to “DeltaWiFi.com” network (no password needed)
  4. Open your browser - portal should open automatically
  5. Visit DeltaWiFi.com if portal doesn’t appear
  6. Sign in with SkyMiles (free membership) or purchase a pass
  7. Start browsing once connected

Free WiFi Eligibility

Domestic Flights:

  • ✅ Free for all SkyMiles members (join free at delta.com)
  • ✅ Available on 90%+ of domestic flights
  • ✅ Unlimited usage for entire flight
  • ✅ Multiple devices supported

International Flights:

  • 💰 Paid WiFi Flight Pass required
  • ✅ Free messaging (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage)
  • 💰 Prices vary by route ($5-$28 typical range)
  • ✅ T-Mobile customers: Free or discounted access

T-Mobile Partnership Benefits

Eligible T-Mobile customers get:

  • 1-Hour Session: Free WiFi + texting for entire flight
  • Full-Flight Session: Unlimited WiFi + texting (select plans)
  • Available on nearly all domestic flights + select international

How to activate:

  1. Look for T-Mobile logo on WiFi login page
  2. Enter your phone number
  3. Verify eligibility
  4. Connect automatically

Delta WiFi Speed: What to Expect

Speed by Service Type

WiFi ProviderTypical SpeedBest ForAircraft
Viasat (Free)10-15 MbpsStreaming, video callsA220, A320, A321, 737-800, 757-200
Viasat (Paid)8-12 MbpsHD streamingA330, A350, 767 (select)
WiFi Onboard (Gogo)3-5 MbpsBrowsing, emailCRJ, ERJ, older widebodies

Real-World Performance

Good for:

  • ✅ Email and messaging (all speeds)
  • ✅ Web browsing (all speeds)
  • ✅ Social media (all speeds)
  • ✅ Video streaming (Viasat aircraft)
  • ✅ Zoom/Teams calls (Viasat aircraft, audio only recommended)

May struggle with:

  • ⚠️ 4K video streaming
  • ⚠️ Large file downloads (>100 MB)
  • ⚠️ Video calls on Gogo aircraft
  • ❌ Voice calls (not permitted by FAA)

Test Your Delta WiFi Speed

Once connected, test your in-flight WiFi speed:

Run Speed Test →

This helps you know if streaming will work well on your flight.

Delta WiFi Pricing (2026)

Free WiFi Aircraft

Viasat-equipped (No charge for SkyMiles members):

  • A220-300
  • A319, A320, A321ceo, A321neo
  • 737-800, 737-900
  • 757-200H/D

Viasat-equipped (International/select domestic):

  • A330-200, A330-300, A330-900 (select)
  • A350 (select)
  • 757-300, 767-300, 767-400 (select)
  • Price range: $5-$28 per flight (varies by route)

WiFi Onboard/Gogo-equipped:

  • CRJ700, CRJ900, ERJ170
  • Older A330, A350, 767 (being upgraded)
  • Price range: $7-$16 per flight

WiFi Pass Options

Pass TypeCoverageTypical Price
1-Flight PassSingle flight$5-$16 domestic, $8-$28 international
Free MessagingAll international flightsFree (WhatsApp, Messenger, iMessage)
T-Mobile Session1 hour or full flightFree for eligible customers

💡 Tip: Join SkyMiles (free) before your flight to access free domestic WiFi.

WiFi Service by Aircraft Type

How to Check Your Aircraft

  1. Check your booking confirmation email
  2. Look in Fly Delta app under flight details
  3. Check delta.com in your reservations
  4. Look for WiFi badge when searching flights

Service Provider by Aircraft

Free WiFi (Viasat)

Modern narrow-body fleet with high-speed satellite internet:

  • A220-300, A319, A320, A321ceo, A321neo
  • 737-800, 737-900
  • 757-200H/D

Speed: 10-15 Mbps | Streaming: Yes | Free for SkyMiles: Yes

International and select widebody aircraft:

  • A330-200*, A330-300*, A330-900*
  • A350*
  • 757-300*, 767-300*, 767-400*

*Available on select aircraft

Speed: 8-12 Mbps | Streaming: Yes | Free Messaging: Yes

Regional jets and legacy equipment (being phased out):

  • CRJ700, CRJ900, ERJ170
  • Older A330, A350, 767 variants

Speed: 3-5 Mbps | Streaming: Limited | Price: $7-$16

Troubleshooting Delta WiFi

WiFi Not Working? Try These Fixes

Can’t Connect to DeltaWiFi.com Network

Fix:

  1. Toggle airplane mode off and back on
  2. Forget the network and reconnect
  3. Restart your device
  4. Wait 5-10 minutes after takeoff (system needs time to activate)

Portal Page Won’t Load (DeltaWiFi.com)

Fix:

  1. Type deltawifi.com directly in browser (not search bar)
  2. Try http://deltawifi.com (not https)
  3. Clear browser cache and cookies
  4. Try a different browser
  5. Disable VPN if connected

Connected But No Internet

Fix:

  1. Verify you completed login/payment
  2. Check if you have active SkyMiles session
  3. Disconnect VPN (connect VPN after portal login)
  4. Try opening browser in incognito/private mode
  5. Contact flight attendant for assistance

Slow Speeds or Buffering

Fix:

  1. Move to lower quality on streaming services (480p instead of 1080p)
  2. Close unnecessary apps/tabs
  3. Disable auto-play videos on social media
  4. Wait for less congested times (many passengers connect right after takeoff)
  5. Test your speed to confirm actual performance

VPN Connection Issues

Important order:

  1. ✅ First: Connect to DeltaWiFi.com and complete portal login
  2. ✅ Then: Enable your VPN after you have internet access
  3. ❌ Don’t: Try to connect with VPN already running

If VPN won’t connect:

  • Try different VPN server
  • Use UDP instead of TCP protocol
  • Some VPNs work better than others at altitude

Device Compatibility

Supported Devices

✅ Smartphones: iPhone, Android, Windows Phone ✅ Tablets: iPad, Android tablets, Kindle Fire ✅ Laptops: Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Linux ✅ Gaming devices: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita ✅ E-readers: Kindle (with browser), Nook

Multiple Device Support

  • ✅ Connect multiple devices with one SkyMiles account
  • ✅ No device limit for free WiFi
  • ✅ Switch between devices freely during flight

Operating System Requirements

  • iOS: iOS 10 or newer (works on iOS 18)
  • Android: Android 5.0 or newer
  • Windows: Windows 7 or newer (Windows 11 supported)
  • macOS: OS X 10.10 or newer (works on Sequoia)

Delta WiFi Coverage Map

Domestic Coverage

Viasat Satellite: 99% coverage over USA, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean

  • Works coast-to-coast without dropouts
  • Coverage extends 200+ miles offshore
  • Seamless handoff between satellite beams

WiFi Onboard (Gogo): Ground-based towers

  • Coverage over land (USA, Canada)
  • May drop over water or remote areas
  • Being phased out in favor of Viasat

International Coverage

Viasat: Global satellite coverage

  • Transatlantic flights: Full coverage
  • Transpacific flights: Full coverage
  • Polar routes: Coverage available

To check your specific flight:

  1. Find aircraft type on your ticket
  2. Check if Viasat or WiFi Onboard equipped
  3. Viasat = global coverage, Gogo = over land only

Delta WiFi vs Other Airlines

FeatureDeltaAmericanUnitedSouthwest
Free Domestic✅ SkyMiles members❌ T-Mobile only❌ Paid✅ All passengers
Max Speed10-15 Mbps12 Mbps5-10 Mbps5-8 Mbps
Streaming✅ Yes✅ Yes⚠️ Limited⚠️ Limited
Multiple Devices✅ Yes✅ Yes❌ One device✅ Yes
International Free Messaging✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ YesN/A

Delta advantage: Free for SkyMiles (free membership), fast Viasat speeds, reliable coverage.

Tips for Better Delta WiFi Performance

Before Your Flight

  1. Join SkyMiles (free) at delta.com if not already a member
  2. Download content offline (Netflix, Spotify, etc.) as backup
  3. Update apps before flight (uses less data in-flight)
  4. Charge devices fully

During Your Flight

  1. Connect early - portal can get busy right after takeoff
  2. Use lower quality for video streaming (480p-720p)
  3. Close background apps to reduce bandwidth usage
  4. Be patient during peak usage times
  5. Test your speed to set expectations

For Business/Work

  1. Video calls: Use audio-only when possible
  2. File uploads: Compress large files before flight
  3. Cloud sync: Pause Dropbox/OneDrive until after landing
  4. Email: Works great, even on slower connections

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I start using WiFi on-board?

You can connect once the boarding door closes and aircraft reaches 10,000 feet. Service continues until landing. Typical availability: 5-10 minutes after takeoff.

Can I stream Netflix, YouTube, Hulu on Delta WiFi?

Yes, on Viasat-equipped aircraft (A220, A320, A321, 737, 757-200). Older WiFi Onboard (Gogo) aircraft may struggle with HD streaming. Use 480p quality for best results.

Is Delta WiFi really free?

Yes, on 90%+ of domestic flights for SkyMiles members (free to join). International flights have paid WiFi ($5-$28) but free messaging apps (WhatsApp, Messenger, iMessage).

How many devices can I connect?

Unlimited devices with your SkyMiles account on free flights. Switch between phone, tablet, laptop freely.

Can I use VPN on Delta WiFi?

Yes, but connect to DeltaWiFi.com portal FIRST, then enable VPN after you have internet access. VPN must be off during initial connection.

Why is my Delta WiFi slow?

Typical causes: Too many passengers online, older Gogo equipment (3-5 Mbps), streaming HD video, or location (over remote areas). Try lower quality settings and test your speed.

Can I make phone calls on Delta WiFi?

No. FAA regulations prohibit voice calls on all U.S. flights. You can use messaging apps and video call apps on mute (video only, no audio).

What if I paid for WiFi and it doesn’t work?

Contact Delta customer service within 24 hours for a refund. Keep your receipt/confirmation. Technical difficulties qualify for full refunds.

Does Delta WiFi work on international flights?

Yes. Viasat provides global coverage. Older aircraft with Gogo may have limited coverage over oceans. Free messaging available on all international flights.

How fast is Delta WiFi compared to home internet?

Viasat: Similar to basic home internet (10-15 Mbps) - good for most tasks. Gogo: Similar to 3G/4G mobile (3-5 Mbps) - fine for browsing, slow for video.

Test Your Delta WiFi Speed

Once you’re connected in-flight, check your actual speeds:

Run Speed Test Now →

This free tool measures your:

  • Download speed (streaming capability)
  • Upload speed (video call quality)
  • Latency/ping (responsiveness)

Takes 30 seconds and helps you optimize your in-flight experience.

Summary

Delta WiFi is free on most domestic flights for SkyMiles members (free to join). Connect to DeltaWiFi.com network after takeoff, sign in, and browse. Modern Viasat aircraft offer 10-15 Mbps speeds suitable for streaming. International flights have paid WiFi ($5-$28) with free messaging.

Having connection issues? Toggle airplane mode, forget network and reconnect, or wait 5-10 minutes after takeoff for system activation.

Want faster speeds? Look for “fast-streaming WiFi” badge when booking flights - these Viasat aircraft have the best performance.

Looking for WiFi on other airlines? Check out:

Last Updated: January 27, 2026 Data Source: Delta Air Lines official resources, DeltaWiFi.com, Viasat specifications, M-Lab speed testing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Delta WiFi free?

Delta offers free WiFi on many domestic flights for SkyMiles members, while international routes often have paid access. Availability depends on aircraft and route.

How do I connect to Delta WiFi?

Join the DeltaWiFi.com network after takeoff, open your browser, and sign in with SkyMiles or purchase a pass. If the portal does not open, type DeltaWiFi.com manually.

What speeds should I expect on Delta WiFi?

Speeds vary by aircraft and provider. Viasat-equipped aircraft are typically faster than older systems, but performance still depends on route, congestion, and weather.