An unauthorized Wi-Fi network was reportedly activated on a Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) flight bound for Atlanta from Las Vegas on Monday, prompting a probe into the incident.
Delta Disabled Wi-fi for 30 Minutes
According to a report by Bloomberg on Tuesday, the airline said it was investigating an unauthorized Wi-Fi network detected aboard Flight 591, which is a Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) 757 jet, when the cabin crew discovered a fake network onboard.
Delta did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comment.
Pilots informed air traffic control, noting concerns that the network was created to scam passengers, and briefly disabled the aircraft's Wi-Fi for roughly 30 minutes as a precaution, the report said.
The flight carried 199 passengers and six crew members, according to a report by Atlanta First News. The passengers also included attendees returning from DEF CON, a major cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas.
"Safety of flight was never in question and no aircraft operating systems were affected," a Delta spokesperson cited in the Bloomberg report said.
Cybersecurity reports have described the incident as a possible "evil twin" attack, in which an unauthorized access point mimics a legitimate Wi-Fi network to potentially trick users into connecting.
United Airlines' Failed Delta Merger
United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: UAL) had reportedly approached Delta about a potential merger between the two airlines before its failed talks with American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL). The United-Delta merger would have combined two of the world's largest airlines had it gone through.
Notably, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) had accused both United and Delta of benefiting through favorable policies like a change in flight cancellation compensation rules from the President Donald Trump administration after the airlines contributed $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund.
Price Action: DAL was up 0.09% to $90.49 during pre-market trading on Wednesday.