Free of charge: Delta to feature WiFi on SA routes
US carrier, Delta Air Lines will be bringing free WiFi to passengers on board its planes, including those flying along SA routes.
Delta to deliver free WiFi
Travellers on Delta Air Lines flights will soon get the chance to surf the web at 35 000 feet totally free of charge, now that the airline has announced it would be bringing WiFi to its international routes soon.
According to Travel News, Delta announced that WiFi would be available on South African routes from mid-2025, but that this would be based on its aircraft installation schedule
“As we continue to roll out fast, free WiFi and the in-flight experiences it powers, we’re able to serve customers travelling both domestically and internationally in new, in-the-moment ways,” Ranjan Goswami, Senior VP of Customer Experience Design at Delta Air Lines said as per Travel News.
“During the airline’s WiFi transition period, there are unfortunately some coverage gaps where WiFi is not available until additional satellites are positioned to provide full coverage. Some aircraft will have a paid Intelsat WiFi experience until these additional satellites are in service and these aircraft are outfitted with upgraded satellite WiFi,” the airline also said in a press release.
How can you stay safe while using inflight WiFi?
While we wait for Delta’s free WiFi to arrive, here are five tips on how you can stay safe while using inflight WiFi:
1. Use a VPN
A VPN or Virtual Private Network is one of the most effective tools for safeguarding your online activities while using inflight Wi-Fi. By encrypting your internet traffic, a VPN makes it significantly more difficult for hackers to intercept your data.
Before your flight, download and install a trusted VPN app on your device. Once you connect to the inflight Wi-Fi, immediately activate your VPN. This will create a secure tunnel for your internet traffic, keeping your data private even on a shared network.
2. Avoid accessing sensitive information
Inflight Wi-Fi networks are shared among many passengers, which increases the risk of unauthorized access to your data. To minimize this risk, avoid accessing sensitive information while connected to inflight Wi-Fi.
Steer clear of online banking, shopping, or logging into accounts that contain personal information, such as your email or social media accounts. Save these activities for when you’re on a more secure network.
3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message or authentication app.
Ensure that 2FA is activated on all important accounts, including email, social media, and financial services. This way, even if someone manages to obtain your login credentials, they’ll still need a second form of verification to actually access your account.