Business Travelers, Rejoice: Delta to Offer $2 Wi-Fi Mobile Pass With restrictions on in-flight device usage loosening, airlines are competing to offer Wi-Fi deals at increasingly reduced rates.
By Geoff Weiss
Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.
Following the repeal of a ban on in-flight connectivity below 10,000 feet, airlines are scrambling to propose more inexpensive ways for business travelers to stay connected on-the-go.
Delta, for instance, is rolling out an in-flight Wi-Fi Mobile Pass that costs a mere $1.95 on flights shorter than two hours. The price increases, however, according to the length of route, and is only available for use on mobile phones above 10,000 feet.
Nevertheless, $1.95 still marks a seismic price cut from the company's current rate of $14 for a full day of browsing on tablets and laptops. Delta passengers also have the option to pay $39.95 for a monthly Wi-Fi pass or $469.95 for annual usage.
Delta's offer comes fresh off the heels of Southwest Airlines' introduction late last year of gate-to-gate iMessaging for $2. Travelers with Apple devices operating iOS 5 are able to text before, during and after takeoff via iMessage -- with Android messaging apps slated to be added early this year, the company said.
When asked if Delta's deal was introduced in light of Southwest's texting initiative, a Delta spokesperson told Skift: "The travel industry by its very nature is very competitive and we're always very aware of what our competitors are doing."
Related: Was the Ban on Cell Phones in Flight Ever Necessary? Nope.
