Delta Introduces In-flight Internet Service

elta Airlines will begin offering in-flight internet service on its long haul service to Ghana in early 2013.

The airline will install the Wi-Fi service in its international fleet of more than 150 aircraft, which includes Boeing 777, 767, 747, Airbus 330 and trans-oceanic 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 U.S.

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

“Delta’s advancement in technology has been a key component to our improvements in the customer travel experience and has been cited by J.D. Power and Associates and PC World magazine as important aspects of travel,” said Tim Mapes, Delta’s Senior Vice president in charge of marketing.

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