Delta adding wi-fi to regional jets

By Kelly Yamanouchi

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines announced it will add inflight wi-fi to many of its Delta Connection regional jets, significantly expanding the reach of connectivity in the sky.

This month, Delta finished putting wi-fi on all of its mainline domestic aircraft. In January, it will begin putting wi-fi on 223 of its planes operated by Delta Connection carriers, including Embraer 175, CRJ700 and CRJ900 regional jets. Delta said it is the first major "legacy" airline to announce it is putting wi-fi on regional aircraft, a process it will start in January. By the end of 2011 Delta said all of its regional jets with first class will have wi-fi.

Delta began putting wi-fi on its mainline domestic fleet in 2008. Inflight wi-fi typically costs between $4.95 for a short flight to $49.95 for six passes. But Delta as well as AirTran Airways are both offering free wi-fi through Jan. 2 sponsored by Google Chrome.

The system Delta and AirTran use relies on ground towers and does not work overseas. At Delta, wi-fi on international flights is "something we continue to look at, and it certainly is desirable from a customer standpoint," said Delta spokesman Paul Skrbec.