Imagine this: you’re cruising at 35,000 feet, laptop open, checking emails or conferencing with your team – no data caps, no surprise charges, just seamless connectivity. What once felt like a luxury is fast becoming a baseline expectation, especially for business travelers.
A decade ago, in-flight Wi-Fi was a novelty. A few years ago, it came with spotty service or steep costs. But now, airlines are seeing Wi-Fi connectivity not as an add-on fee but as a strategic differentiator – and it’s quickly becoming the standard.
Most major airlines, including big names like Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Air Canada, are launching complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi to passengers that are signed up for their respective loyalty programs.
What this means for your travel program:
- Increased productivity: With free onboard Wi-Fi, you can catch up on emails, host virtual meetings, or finalize that presentation mid-flight.
- Better ROI on loyalty programs: These connectivity perks add even more value to loyalty enrollment. By encouraging your travelers to sign up for their preferred carriers’ loyalty programs, you not only enhance their experience, but also help them access perks that reduce cost and friction.
- More flexible travel plans: Need to shift a meeting, get a last-minute brief from the office, or respond to time-sensitive client needs while in the air? Free Wi-Fi makes in-flight pivots realistic.
Here are some of the forces driving this shift:
- Loyalty program growth: Airlines are now using free Wi-Fi as an incentive to engage more travelers in their loyalty programs. Delta Air Lines, for example, made free Wi-Fi available to SkyMiles members and saw a surge in memberships.
- Tech upgrades: New satellite connections (like Starlink) and enhanced networking are making in-flight Wi-Fi faster and more reliable.
- Passenger expectations: Business travelers see Wi-Fi connectivity as not just a perk, but a necessity.
Be sure to encourage your travelers to enroll in your/their preferred airline’s loyalty program(s) to take advantage of these new offerings. Whether they fly Delta, United, Southwest, or another carrier, being opted in is often the only requirement to access free Wi-Fi.
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Curious how we can help you stay on top of developments like these? Get in touch with us at sales@ganttravel.com.
Already a Gant client and want to know more about what’s going on with your preferred travel vendors? Contact your Gant account manager, they’ll get your questions answered.
