Fake Wi-Fi disrupts Delta flight internet
An unauthorized Wi-Fi network appeared aboard Delta Flight 591 from Las Vegas to Atlanta. The crew disabled onboard Wi-Fi for about 30 minutes, but Delta said no aircraft systems were compromised and flight safety was not affected. The FBI, FAA, and Delta are investigating.
- Started
- Aug 10, 2026
- Latest activity
- Aug 31, 2026
- Attributed to
- Not confirmedNo credible attribution yet
- Where
- United States
- Sectors
- Transport
- Scale
- one Delta Air Lines flight
Current status
The latest credible report remains the August 31, 2026 report, which said the investigation was still open; searches on September 11 found no later update.
Contained: The attack has been stopped or blocked. Recovery and investigation are still running.
Impact
Passengers lost onboard Wi-Fi for about 30 minutes. Delta reported no compromise of aircraft systems and no effect on flight safety.
What to do
Passengers who connected to the unauthorized network should change any passwords they entered through it and watch those accounts for unusual activity.
Timeline
-
Aug 31, 2026
Later reporting said the investigation remained open, with no identified culprit or evidence that passenger data was stolen.
Containedenglish.mathrubhumi.com -
Aug 12, 2026
FBI Atlanta confirmed it was reviewing the incident with local and corporate partners and reported no arrests.
arstechnica.com -
Aug 11, 2026
Delta said no aircraft systems were compromised and the flight's safety was never in question.
cyberscoop.com -
Aug 10, 2026
An unauthorized network appeared aboard Delta Flight 591, prompting the crew to disable onboard Wi-Fi for about 30 minutes.
Containedcbsnews.com
Sources
- Possible hoax Wi-Fi network on Delta flight to Atlanta under investigation, airline says CBS News Atlanta Aug 11, 2026
- Delta investigates in-flight Wi-Fi spoofing on post-DEF CON flight from Las Vegas CyberScoop Aug 11, 2026
- DEF CON crowd suspected in fake-hotspot attack on Delta flight Ars Technica Aug 12, 2026
- You connect to Wi-Fi on a flight. But what if it isn't the airline's network? Mathrubhumi English Aug 31, 2026
Related reports
- Delta Air Lines has a security flaw Aug 15, 2026
- DEF CON Attendees Allegedly Jam Plane Wi-Fi, Launch ‘Evil Twin’ Phishing Attack Aug 12, 2026
- Delta flight disrupted by suspected rogue Wi-Fi Aug 11, 2026
- DEF CON flight jammed by fake Wi-Fi attack Aug 10, 2026