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Delta Adding Wi-Fi to All Flights

JetBlue charges for pillows, blankets

By Truman Lewis
ConsumerAffairs.com

August 5, 2008

Delta Airlines • SkyMiles • Travel vouchers • Delta/AmEx promotions • European promotions • Reservations & itinerary changes • Lost/damaged luggage • Unaccompanied children • Puerto Rico USA • Miscellaneous --- News • Delta Reduces Capacity As Fuel Prices Rise • Delta Cuts Flights in Slowing Economy • Delta Alters Fees to Conform to Northwest's • Delta, Northwest Complete Merger • Delta Adding Wi-Fi to All Flights • Delta Raises Second Checked Bag Fee to $50 • Delta Passengers Stranded 7 Hours on Plane • Delta Sells Ads on Boarding Passes • Delta, Northwest Merger Faces Heavy Chop • US Airways Makes Bid for Delta • Delta Beefs Up Routes, Retrofits Its Jets • Delta Begins Passing On Airport Fees To Passengers • Delta Writes Coda to Song • Delta Files for Bankruptcy • Delta Sells Regional Carrier To Raise Cash • Delta Abandons $499 Fare Cap • Delta Warns of Bankruptcy • Delta Passengers To Brown Bag It • Delta Cuts Fares

Airlines are adding fees furiously, trying to compensate for higher fuel prices. Most are simply charging for items that were once free but Delta is adding wireless Internet access to its entire domestic fleet, to be priced at $9.95 for flights under three hours, $12.95 for longer hauls.

Other airlines have been testing wireless Internet systems but Delta is the first to pull its flaps in and commit to offering the service on all its domestic flights.

The airline says the equipment is relatively easy to install and doesn't add much weight so it won't markedly increase fuel consumption and should quickly turn into an attractive profit center.

Surveys have found that wireless Internet access is the top choice of frequent fliers, who rated it more important than enhanced movies or other in-flight entertainment.

Delta says its wireless will enable travelers to surf the Web, send and receive email and log on to virtual private networks (VPNs) but will block voice communications, so as not to pollute the cabin with cell-phone-style conversations.

American, JetBlue, Southwest and Virgin America are all in various phases of testing wi-fi in their aircraft.

Meanwhile, JetBlue has pulled a one-two punch on travelers wanting a place to rest their weary heads.

Yesterday, the carrier yanked its pillows and blankets. Now, it says it will replace them with much more plush versions for travelers willing to fork over $7.

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