Delta to offer free in-flight entertainment on domestic routes

We rarely hear nowadays the word free when it comes to aviation industry. Almost everything is being charged today starting from overhead bins, carry-on baggage, seat preference and so on. But Delta Airlines is making an exception. It has announced to offer free in-flight entertainment options on all U.S. flights with more than 90 minutes of flying time.

US passengers flying on Delta from August 1 will be able to access free TV shows, movies, games and music using TV monitors on seatbacks or through their personal gadgets like iPads, Mobiles and more. The Delta aircrafts are equipped with Wi-Fi service, allowing passengers to stream their choice of entertainment on their devices using Gogo app. The streaming option will offer passengers flexibility to enjoy their in-air time at their own convenience. However, passengers will have a pay a nominal fee if they wish to watch any additional premium content like recent movies, on-demand TV shows, Showtime and HBO programming.

Tim Mapes, Delta’s Senior VP Marketing said we are continuously mapping the demands of valued customers. Our products and services have always been created on the basis of their feedback. Our passengers have placed the need of entertainment as their top most priority and hence, we have decided to offer this free of charge on all our domestic aircrafts and two-cabin regional jets, operating more than 90minutes long flight.

At present, Delta’s 140 domestic aircrafts are fitted with seatback screens. It plans to fit an additional 150 narrow body aircrafts with seatback monitors by the end of 2016. As far as its streaming option goes, the airline already has more than 900 domestic and international aircrafts equipped with Wi-Fi facility and is planning to offer its streaming facility in another 100 aircrafts by next year end.

In a clear cut move to woo passengers, Delta has for sure taken the right step. A service like this will not only give them more personalized experience but will also give them yet another very strong and apt reason to choose Delta and witness an all together different level of travel experience.