US carrier Delta is to offer free in-flight messaging via What’s App and Facebook Messenger from the start of October.

The service – which will also include the iMessage platform – will be available on all Gogo-enabled aircraft.

This includes all aircraft with two or more cabins – and the airline says it will be the first US transatlantic carrier to offer free access to the instant messaging platform.

From October 1 passengers will be able to access the service through Delta’s in-flight wifi portal page at airborne.gogoinflight.com.

Note that the free messaging will be for text only – photo or video files will not be supported.

To highlight the new service Delta has revealed the results of a new survey of the top ten things travellers forget to do before boarding a plane, with turning on an out of office reminder taking the top spot, followed by asking a neighbour to keep an eye on an empty property, cancelling appointments, asking neighbours to take delivery of parcels, and making sure all doors and windows at home are locked.

“Even the most seasoned travellers can find themselves mid-air and caught out by a last-minute cancellation or arrangement, said Tim Mapes, Delta’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.

“Rather than having to count down the hours until landing, Delta customers can continue socialising or working with the tap of a smartphone and enjoy peace of mind at every stage of the flight.”

delta.com