• Detroit News , Wednesday, August 6, 2008 10:03 AM

Delta Air Lines will soon offer WiFi Internet connection -- allowing customers to access the Web via laptops, PDAs, iPhones and other devices -- on all of its domestic mainline flights. The WiFi service comes at a cost: $9.95 for flights shorter than three hours and $12.95 for longer flights.

Delta, which has plans to merge with Northwest later this year to create the world's largest airline, also is considering expanding the service to international flights and routes served by regional partners. It will be the first carrier to offer WiFi across its entire domestic mainline fleet.

Experts say being the first airline to offer fleetwide WiFi has two advantages for Delta: It will be able to raise desperately needed revenue to offsets fuel costs. And the quick deployment -- expected to be completed by next summer -- will give Delta the opportunity to garner brand loyalty from busy business travelers who are willing to pay extra for more productive use of their flight time.

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