WNBA basketball star Caitlin Clark could also be probably the most recognizable athletes in America, however even she doesn’t wish to pay for inflight Wi-Fi.
A reporter requested the Indiana Fever rookie whether or not she could be watching Sport 7 of the NBA Finals throughout a press convention, however Clark mentioned she’d be on a Delta flight in the course of the sport.
Like many basketball followers, Clark hoped to catch the sport. But when her airplane didn’t have built-in seatback screens, she was anxious she would want to pay up for streaming entry.
“I’m hoping for those with the screens on the again of the chairs, so I don’t must pay for Wi-Fi. I’m just a little low cost,” Clark mentioned.
Sadly for Clark, the Indiana Pacers misplaced anyway. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder gained the 2025 NBA Finals with a dominant second half in Sport 7, successful 103-91 and incomes the franchise’s first NBA title since relocating from Seattle in 2008.
Why inflight Wi-Fi nonetheless appears like a ripoff
In an period of extra related cabins, paying further to remain on-line can really feel irritating — particularly when fundamental connectivity is commonly sluggish or inconsistent. And it’s not at all times clear whether or not you’ll be capable to livestream content material anyway.
One other supply of frustration is the shortage of transparency round value. Some airways are upfront about their pricing (e.g. Southwest Airways expenses $8 per machine, regardless of the size of the flight), however different airways make it troublesome to understand how a lot Wi-Fi will value till you board. For instance, American Airways guarantees Wi-Fi for as little as $10 per flight, but it surely usually finally ends up costing about $30 or extra. That can change quickly, although. American Airways plans to supply free Wi-Fi to AAdvantage members beginning in January 2026.
For some vacationers, it isn’t concerning the cash. It’s concerning the feeling of being nickel-and-dimed for one thing that many vacationers say needs to be included.
Delta is quickly increasing its free Wi-Fi
Clark’s want to watch dwell basketball video games within the skies free of charge is already within the works at Delta Air Strains particularly. Simply as Clark talked about, sure Delta planes are outfitted with seatback screens that supply as much as 16 channels of dwell satellite tv for pc TV on choose flights with seatback screens.
The airline can be presently rolling out free Wi-Fi throughout its fleet for each home and worldwide flights. Delta Sync Wi-Fi, a particular sort of Wi-Fi functionality, permits streaming, so Clark may’ve streamed the sport free of charge if her airplane was outfitted with the brand new expertise.
Delta Sync is offered on its complete home mainline fleet for home flights and all flights throughout its transatlantic community to Europe, Israel and West Africa. Regional plane and new Delta planes are additionally on the listing for upgraded Wi-Fi capabilities as nicely.
Different methods to keep away from paying for Wi-Fi with out lacking a sport
Fly airways with free dwell TV
When you’re merely attempting to catch a sport or watch one thing else dwell on TV, then you definitely may not essentially want an airline with free Wi-Fi, only one that gives free dwell TV.
Main airways with free dwell TV embody United (which presents greater than 100 channels by means of DIRECTV on a lot of its planes), JetBlue and Southwest (although there are not any seatback screens on Southwest, so that you’ll have to attach by yourself machine).
Fly airways with free Wi-Fi
Along with Delta, an growing variety of airways are putting in free Wi-Fi. JetBlue has lengthy supplied free Wi-Fi for all passengers. United and American Airways’ free Wi-Fi rollout is within the works.
Alaska Airways and Southwest Airways enable free texting, although not essentially free Wi-Fi, so at the least your pals may hold you within the loop with dwell updates.
get reductions on in-flight Wi-Fi
1. Be part of the airline’s frequent flyer program
Airline frequent flyer packages are sometimes free to affix, and a few supply Wi-Fi reductions. For instance, United MileagePlus members owe simply $8 for Wi-Fi on U.S. home flights, however non-members owe $10.
2. Maintain elite standing
Different airways supply free Wi-Fi for purchasers with elite standing or sitting in premium cabins. For instance, Southwest presents A-Listing Most popular elite members free Wi-Fi, enabling these frequent flyers to keep away from the $8 Wi-Fi payment.
3. Use a bank card with airline perks

The New United Gateway℠ Card, The New United℠ Explorer Card, The New United Quest℠ Card and The New United Membership℠ Card supply 25% again on inflight Wi-Fi purchases once you pay with any of these playing cards.

The New United℠ Explorer Card
Charges & Charges

The New United Quest℠ Card
Charges & Charges

The New United Membership℠ Card
Charges & Charges
Annual payment
$0 intro for the primary yr, then $150.
Welcome supply
Restricted-Time Provide: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 100,000 bonus miles and three,000 Premier qualifying factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months your account is open.
Restricted-Time Provide: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
PQP earn charge
1 PQP for each $20 spent, as much as 1,000 PQPs in a calendar yr.
1 PQP for each $20 spent, as much as 18,000 PQPs in a calendar yr.
Earn 1,000 Card Bonus PQPs every year.
1 PQP for each $15 spent, as much as 28,000 PQPs in a calendar yr.
Earn 1,500 Card Bonus PQPs every year.
Free inflight Wi-Fi is coming
Whether or not you’re knowledgeable athlete or an off-the-cuff vacationer, nobody needs to be gouged for web entry, particularly when extra airways are proving it doesn’t must be this manner.
Fortunately, airways are altering. Now that some airways, together with Delta, are shifting in the other way by providing free Wi-Fi, the times of paying further simply to stream your favourite present or catch a giant sport might quickly be over.