Delta expands world’s largest Wi-Fi-equipped fleet to Accra, others

As competition in the airline industry increases, players are finding ways to consolidate their position as Charles Benoni Okine reports.

Delta Air Lines will begin offering in-flight Internet service on its long-haul service to Ghana in early next year. 

Delta, the first airline to fly direct to the United States of America from Accra since the demise of Ghana Airways, will install the wifi service in its international fleet of more than 150 aircraft, which includes Boeing 777, 767, 747, Airbus 330 and transoceanic Boeing 757 aircraft in early 2013.

The expanded Wi-Fi service will use satellites to provide coverage internationally and will complement the existing air-to-ground service already provided by Gogo for aircraft flying within the domestic U.S.

Delta which is also the only surviving airline on the Accra/New York route after United Airlines packed out, already operates the world’s largest Wi-Fi-equipped fleet of aircraft with more than 3,000 flights daily, including its entire fleet of 550 domestic mainline aircraft.

More than 800 Delta aircraft, including all Delta Connection two-class regional jets, are equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi service offering more than 400,000 customers per day access to the internet above 10,000 feet.

The international service will use high-bandwidth Ku-band capacity satellites to provide global coverage.

When complete in 2015, Delta will operate approximately 1,000 Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft in its worldwide fleet.

The Senior Vice President, Marketing Delta Airlines, Mr Tim Mapes said, “Delta’s advancements in technology have been a key component to our improvements in the customer travel experience and have been cited by J.D. Power and Associates and PC World magazine as important aspects of travel.”

He said “With our expansion of international Wi-Fi options across our fleet, Delta customers will be able to stay connected throughout their journey.”

The expansion of in-flight Wi-Fi to Delta’s transoceanic fleet is the latest in the airline’s more than $3 billion investment in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities through 2013.

In addition to Wi-Fi improvements, Delta has added more First Class seats and in-flight entertainment to its domestic product; offering full flat-bed BusinessElite seats on its entire international wide body fleet; recently completed the system-wide roll-out of Economy Comfort on all two-class aircraft; adding personal, in-seat entertainment for both BusinessElite and Economy class customers on all long-haul international flights. It has also updated Delta Sky Clubs throughout the system; and is also upgrading new terminal facilities for international customers at its two largest global gateways – the new international terminal in Atlanta now open and the expanded international terminal opening next May at New York-JFK.