Delta Air Lines plane falls victim to suspected cyber hack. Last updated: 13 August 2026 10:43 A cybersecurity incident that occurred on a Delta Air Lines flight is being investigated after a hoax Wi-Fi network appeared aboard the Atlanta-bound plane. The unauthorised Wi-Fi connection appeared for a short time during the flight and resulted in the aircraft's cabin crew disabling the plane's Wi-Fi functionality for a short time. Many passengers aboard the plane are suspected to have attended DEF CON, a large hacking conference held in Las Vegas. The incident is being investigated by Delta Air Lines and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Internet hoax aboard Delta flight. Discover more Air Travel Flight DL591 travelling from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta was the victim of a cybersecurity incident on Aug. 10 after an unauthorised Wi-Fi network appeared mid-flight. The Boeing 757 had been carrying 199 passengers at the time, alongside six crew members. Whilst no reports have emerged about the aircraft's systems having been attacked, an initial review of the incident confirmed the unauthorised network was not provided, supplied, or operated by Delta Air Lines. Early reports suggest that someone aboard the plane created a hoax internet network called "Delta WiFi Fast", which caused concern among the plane's crew. In response to the network, the cabin crew disabled the aircraft's Wi-Fi functionality for around half an hour. According to the data-sharing platform Airframes, the plane's crew sent a message to Air Traffic Control (ATC) after becoming concerned about the situation, especially regarding passenger security. Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System recorded messages from the flight: "Hey alert corp security we have a pax [passenger] on that has created a scam Wi-Fi called Delta WiFi Fast, we believe they are trying to scam the other pax [passengers]." The message was followed up by the crew 15 minutes later: Discover more air-travel Autos & Vehicles "No info as of now we have a bunch of pax [passengers] that were at a cyber conferences in LAS. They were able to jam our Wi-Fi and broadcast their signal." Delta Air Lines said that while determining the exact nature of the incident will take time, it is committed to working with federal law enforcement and aviation regulators during the investigation. "Evil twin attack" Launched mid-flight. Following the incident, a Delta spokesperson has confirmed that the aircraft's safety was never compromised nor were its systems hacked: "Safety of flight was never in question, and no aircraft operating systems were affected. We are fully investigating to gather a complete set of facts, which will take time. We will partner with federal law enforcement and aviation regulators to ensure the incident is thoroughly investigated. We thank our crew for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding." This particular kind of cybersecurity incident is a well-known hoax to federal authorities who have issued warnings about what is known as an "evil twin attack". The attack is created by hackers who set up a fake public network access point with a stronger signal than the legitimate Wi-Fi connection. When a victim clicks to connect to the internet, the hackers are able to get access to their data, typically through "log in" portals. Discover more Travel & Transportation Recreational Aviation air-travel The FAA has said it is aware and looking into the report but has confirmed that any breach or issue with the plane's onboard Wi-Fi would not affect the aircraft's flight safety systems. Details of the FAA's investigation and findings are limited; however, it has been noted that many passengers aboard the flight may well have been attending the DEF CON 34 conference held in Las Vegas during the preceding weekend from Aug. 6-9. DEF CON is one of the world's largest cybersecurity and hacking conferences, attracting cybersecurity professionals, researchers, hackers, government officials and technology enthusiasts. Despite it attracting hackers, much of the conference focuses on finding vulnerabilities in cybersecurity and discussing how they can be fixed. "We will partner with federal law enforcement and aviation regulators to ensure the incident is thoroughly investigated." As of now, no official details have been released about the inquiry. What do you think about this incident? Let Travel Radar Media Ltd. know in the comments below.

Fernando Cervigon wins top agent as Virtuoso announces 2026 global award winners. * Delta Air Lines has been named Best Airline and Regent Hong Kong Best Brand Hotel in the 2026 Virtuoso Global Awards. * The Global Stewardship Awards have recognised andBeyond Tanzania for Planet and the Dubrovnik Tourist Board for Destination. * Fernando Cervigon and Goya Travel have received the individual Advisor and Agency Global Stewardship awards. * Mary Ann Ramsey and Backroads have won the Adventure Community awards. * The awards were presented during Virtuoso Travel Week 2026 at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Virtuoso has announced the winners of its 2026 Global Awards, recognising leading advisors and preferred partners across the luxury travel network during the annual Virtuoso Travel Week held in Las Vegas. The awards, which are determined by votes from elected members of the network's boards and committees, have named Delta Air Lines as the Best Airline and Regent Hong Kong as the Best Brand Hotel, with The Dewberry Charleston winning Best Independent Hotel. Regent Santa Monica Beach has received the Best New or Reimagined Hotel award, and Claudio Meli of The Place Firenze has been named Hotelier of the Year. The 2026 Global Stewardship Awards were presented at the Under One Sky lunch on 10 August, honouring exceptional contributions to responsible tourism across the network. Fernando Cervigon of Knightsbridge Circle won the Advisor category, while Goya Travel received the Agency award. andBeyond Tanzania has been recognised in the Planet category, with Nomadic Expeditions winning the Culture award, and Wilderness taking the Economies category. The inaugural Destination award has gone to the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, selected by live audience vote from more than 300 nominations. The Community Awards have been presented across seven specialised travel communities, with winners announced for the Adventure, Cruise, Culinary, Family and Celebration, Sustainability, Ultraluxe and Wellness categories. In the Adventure community, Mary Ann Ramsey of Betty Maclean Travel and Backroads have been recognised, while David and Carol Porter of Roaming Boomers Travel and AmaWaterways have won in the Cruise category. The awards form part of Virtuoso Travel Week 2026, taking place from 8 to 14 August at the ARIA Resort & Casino. Matthew D. Upchurch, Virtuoso Chairman and CEO, shared, "The winners represent the 'best of the best' as voted by the network."

DEF CON return flight hit by 'evil twin' Wi-Fi attack. A Delta Air Lines flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta experienced a Wi-Fi phishing incident when a passenger allegedly jammed the official onboard internet and set up a rogue 'evil twin' network. The attack, reported on Delta Flight 591, highlights the growing threat of in-flight cyber shenanigans. ThreatsEye Published at August 12, 2026 Reading time Intelligence brief What should have been a routine post-DEF CON flight turned into a real-world hacking demo at 30,000 feet, as a passenger reportedly jammed the plane's Wi-Fi and launched a phishing attack. Key facts. * Delta Flight 591 (Boeing 757) from Las Vegas to Atlanta was the scene of the alleged attack on Monday. * The attacker reportedly disrupted the aircraft's official internet service and set up a fraudulent 'evil twin' Wi-Fi network. * Passengers connecting to the rogue network were likely directed to a phishing page designed to capture credentials. * The incident allegedly involved attendees of the DEF CON hacking conference, known for such experiments. * Delta has not confirmed whether law enforcement is investigating, but the FAA and FBI may be involved due to the federal nature of the crime. * This incident underscores the vulnerability of in-flight Wi-Fi systems to simple radio-frequency interference. Attack in the clouds. According to reports, the attacker used a portable device to jam the aircraft's Wi-Fi signal, forcing passengers to look for alternative networks. The rogue network, often named something innocuous like 'DeltaWi-Fi', then captured login credentials and other sensitive data from unsuspecting users. The use of 'evil twin' attacks is a well-known tactic in cybersecurity, but executing it on a commercial flight adds a new layer of risk. Such actions are not only illegal under federal law but also endanger the safety of the flight by interfering with onboard systems. Implications for travelers. This incident serves as a stark reminder that public Wi-Fi networks, even those on airplanes, are not secure. Security experts advise passengers to avoid connecting to any network that does not use a verified captive portal, and to use a VPN when browsing on the go. As in-flight connectivity becomes more common, the attack surface for such incidents will only grow. Airlines may need to invest in more robust anti-jamming technologies and educate passengers about the risks of connecting to unknown networks. Bottom line. In the age of ubiquitous connectivity, every Wi-Fi network is a potential phishing trap - even at 35,000 feet. Always verify the network name and use a VPN to protect your data from 'evil twin' attacks. ThreatsEye. ThreatsEye analysis covering cyber risk, threat intelligence, and practical security operations - built for defenders who need signal, not noise. PublishedAugust 12, 2026