Delta vs United: Inflight WiFi Comparison
Delta and United are the two US carriers most serious about free inflight WiFi. Delta offers free WiFi for all SkyMiles members (free signup); United is rolling out Starlink with free WiFi for everyone on equipped flights. Here's how they compare across every dimension.
| Metric | Delta Air Lines | United Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi Provider | Viasat (Starlink rumored) | ✓ Starlink (fleet-wide rollout) |
| Download Speed | 15–50 Mbps | ✓ 40–200 Mbps |
| Latency | 600–800 ms | ✓ 20–40 ms |
| Free WiFi | Free for SkyMiles members | Free on Starlink flights |
| Signup Required | Yes (SkyMiles — free) | ✓ No (Starlink flights) |
| 4K Streaming | Limited (Viasat-3 upgrade needed) | ✓ Yes (Starlink) |
| T-Mobile Benefit | Yes | Yes |
| Domestic Network | Extensive hub-and-spoke | Extensive hub-and-spoke |
| International WiFi | Strong (Viasat on wide-bodies) | Growing (Starlink global) |
| Fleet Coverage | Most domestic flights | Most domestic + expanding |
United edges Delta on WiFi in 2026 — Starlink is faster in every metric, and equipped flights don't even require a login. Delta's SkyMiles free WiFi is the easier enrollment experience (works across the whole eligible fleet, one signup) and is better for travelers who prefer consistency over peak speed. For streaming and video calls, fly United's Starlink fleet. For hassle-free free WiFi on any Delta flight, Delta is the simpler choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Delta or United have faster WiFi?
United. Starlink delivers 40–200 Mbps with 20–40 ms latency on United vs Viasat's 15–50 Mbps and 600–800 ms latency on Delta. The latency gap is especially noticeable for video calls and gaming.
Which has easier free WiFi — Delta or United?
Delta is slightly easier — sign up once for SkyMiles (free) and get free WiFi on all eligible Delta flights without needing to check if your aircraft is Starlink-equipped. United's free WiFi on Starlink flights needs no login but only applies to equipped aircraft; non-Starlink United flights still charge.
Is Delta switching to Starlink?
As of June 2026, Delta has not announced a confirmed Starlink deal. Delta continues upgrading to Viasat-3 and has also been in discussions with Starlink. Watch for announcements — this could change the ranking significantly.
Can you stream on Delta WiFi?
Yes, HD streaming works on most Delta Viasat-equipped flights. 4K is not reliably achievable on Viasat-2 aircraft and depends on flight load. Newer Viasat-3 aircraft support 4K on lighter flights.
Does United MileagePlus give free WiFi?
MileagePlus status itself doesn't include free WiFi as a standard benefit. The free WiFi on United comes from Starlink — it's free for every passenger on equipped flights, no MileagePlus required. T-Mobile postpaid customers also get free WiFi via the carrier partnership.