Today, Delta announced that it would offer WiFi on over 330 aircraft by mid 2009. This announcement is further evidence about the sweeping nature of the Anywhere movement.

While airlines are being forced to charge fliers $1 for water and $2 for drinks (not to mention ever increasing baggage fees) Delta has recognized something Yankee Group has been discussing for years. That Anywhere Consumers are willing to pay for services that help them realize their Anywhere desires and catering to them will aid in revenue growth. As a result, Delta can charge for its WiFi service – $9.95 for 3 hour flights or shorter and $12.95 for flights longer than that.

This is an important steps for airlines to earn incremental revenue. Perhaps offering premium coach seating with power could be the next ARPF lifter (average revenue per flier) from Delta? It would certainly make sense and further their value proposition to the Anywhere consumer. This is not only a necessary evolution for the airline industry but it positions Delta as the defacto airline for Anywhere Consumers (and Anywhere workers) that need to be connected. With all other things being equal – offering WiFi certainly propels Delta to the head of the class for two key Anywhere segments: Actualized Anywheres and Outlet Jockeys.

Anywhere continues to demand seismic changes to businesses but with it also comes opportunity for incremental revenue opportunities and differentiation. It is important for all companies to embrace Anywhere now and begin planning for the future or risk having competitors offer a more advanced differentiated service.