Wi-Fi on airplanes or also called in-flight Wi-Fi is a service that provides wireless Internet to passengers on an airplane during a flight. Since 2004, numerous airlines have integrated this system into their in-flight entertainment offerings, having developed the necessary technical capabilities to implement it. The range of in-flight services offered by airlines varies significantly. Some airlines provide completely free and unlimited access, while others may offer complimentary service exclusively for instant messaging, with additional fees for other services or navigation packages during the flight. Market research specialized in customer behavior indicates that this service can influence a passenger's choice of airline, positioning it as a new competitive factor within the passenger air transport industry. [1]
As of January 15, 2003, Lufthansa, the German airline, became the first airline globally to provide in-flight Internet service to its passengers, following a series of preliminary tests and through an alliance with Connexion by Boeing, which began developing in-flight Internet connections using Ethernet and 802.11 WI-FI. The inaugural commercial flight featuring this service operated from Frankfurt Airport to Washington Dulles, in the United States, aboard the airline's Boeing "Sachsen-Anhalt" aircraft. [2] In 2001, U.S. airlines suspended all Wi-Fi services as a security measure implemented in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. [3]
In December 2013, JetBlue became the first airline in the United States to offer free Wi-Fi on some of its domestic flights. [4]
Wi-Fi internet service is typically available during the flight, although it is deactivated during takeoff and landing. It is essential to keep airplane mode activated to avoid interference with the aircraft's communication systems. [5] Passengers can connect to the Wi-Fi service through a designated airplane hotspot. The speed and coverage of the Internet connection during the flight may vary based on the specific system utilized by the airline. [6] The service is provided through a public network, which carries certain privacy considerations. Therefore, security experts consistently recommend implementing precautions such as utilizing antivirus software and VPNs, in addition to other security measures when using this network. [7]
The optional use of Wi-Fi on personal devices by travelers is enabling airlines to eliminate in-seat screens, resulting in energy savings and reduced aircraft weight. [8]
Unlike the Internet service provided at airports, which is mostly free of charge, each airline determines its own fees associated with the use of Wi-Fi during a flight, which can vary from free and unlimited access to charges for data packages or daily passes for browsing. As of 2024, the airlines providing complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi service for all classes are: [9]
These airlines allow free access to Wi-Fi on board for passengers who have previously signed up for a loyalty program, such as a frequent-flyer program:
British Airways plc (BA) is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom. It is headquartered in London, England, near its main hub at Heathrow Airport.
Qantas Airways Limited, or simply Qantas, is the flag carrier of Australia, and Australia`s largest airline by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations in Australia and Oceania. A founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance, it is the only airline in the world that flies to all seven continents, with it operating flights to Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America and South America from its hubs in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane. It also flies to over 60 domestic destinations across Australia.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG, or simply Lufthansa, is the flag carrier of Germany. When combined with its subsidiaries, it ranks second in Europe by passengers carried, as well as largest in Europe and fourth largest in the world by revenue. Lufthansa is also one of the five founding members of Star Alliance, which is the world's largest airline alliance, formed in 1997. Lufthansa was founded in 1953 and commenced operations in April 1955.
Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, also known as Santiago International Airport and Nuevo Pudahuel Airport, located in Pudahuel, 15 km (9.3 mi) north-west of central Santiago, is Chile's largest aviation facility and busiest international airport.
Air New Zealand Limited is the flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 20 domestic and 30 international destinations in 18 countries, primarily within the Pacific Rim. The airline has been a member of the Star Alliance since 1999.
Hawaiian Airlines is a commercial U.S. airline, headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii and a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group. It is the largest operator of commercial flights to and from the island state of Hawaii, and the tenth largest commercial airline in the United States by passengers carried.
Swiss International Air Lines AG, stylized as SWISS, is the flag carrier of Switzerland and a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, as well as a Star Alliance member. It operates scheduled services in Europe and to North America, South America, Africa and Asia. Zurich Airport serves as its main hub and Geneva Airport as its secondary hub.
Connexion by Boeing (CBB) was an in-flight online internet connectivity service from Boeing. This service allowed travellers to access a high-speed internet connection while on board a plane in flight through a wired Ethernet or a wireless 802.11 Wi-Fi connection. Connexion by Boeing was formed as a separate business unit of The Boeing Company. Major development on the service commenced with a partnership agreement between United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines on June 13, 2001. Lufthansa joined the partnership as the International launch customer on June 17, 2001. United, Delta, and American subsequently withdrew from the partnership after the 9/11 terrorist attacks due to the severe drop in airline travel that occurred after the attacks.
Virgin Australia is an Australian airline based in Brisbane. It is one of two active airlines to use the Virgin brand, as well as the larger by fleet size. It commenced services on 31 August 2000 as Virgin Blue, with two aircraft on a single route. It suddenly found itself becoming a major airline in Australia's domestic market after the collapse of Ansett Australia in September 2001. The airline's business model consists of the core features of a low-cost carrier, along with some elements of a full-service airline. As of June 2024, the airline serves 33 Australian destinations with its Boeing 737 MAX and Boeing 737 Next Generation fleets from its hubs in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
LATAM Airlines Chile, formerly known as LAN Chile and LAN Airlines, is a Chilean multinational airline based in Santiago and one of the founding companies of the LATAM Airlines Group, the largest airline holding company in Latin America. Its main hubs are in the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago, Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo and Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, with secondary hubs in Bogotá, Quito, Guayaquil and Asunción.
Fiji Airways, formerly Air Pacific, is the flag carrier of Fiji. It operates international services from its hubs in Fiji to 27 destinations, and has an extended network of 108 international destinations through its codeshare partners, including Qantas, who also own a stake in the airline.
Oman Air is the flag carrier of Oman. Based at Muscat International Airport in Muscat, it operates domestic and international passenger services, as well as regional air taxi and charter flights.
An airport lounge is a facility operated at many airports. Airport lounges offer, for selected passengers, comforts beyond those afforded in the airport terminal, such as more comfortable seating, quieter environments, and better access to customer service representatives. Other accommodations may include private meeting rooms, telephones, wireless internet access and other business services, along with provisions to enhance passenger comfort, such as free drinks, snacks, magazines, and showers.
In-flight entertainment (IFE) refers to entertainment and other value-added services available to aircraft passengers during a flight. Frequently managed by content service providers, the types of in-flight entertainment and their content vary significantly based on the airline, aircraft type, and geographic region.
SITAONAIR is a company that enables airline passengers to use their smart devices including mobile phones and laptops for calls, text messaging, emails and Internet browsing.
Premium economy class, also known by brand names which vary by company, is a travel class offered on many airlines. It is usually positioned between standard economy class and business class in terms of price, comfort, and available amenities. On December 12, 1992, EVA Air introduced the Economy Deluxe Class on the inaugural flight of its first trans-Pacific route (TPE-LAX), becoming the first airline to offer this class of service. In some countries, this class has emerged as a response from governments and companies requiring economy class for travel done by staff, while still getting some benefits like airport priority.
Gogo Inc. is an American provider of in-flight broadband Internet service and other connectivity services for business aircraft, headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado. Through its Gogo LLC subsidiary, Gogo previously provided in-flight WiFi to 17 airlines until the Commercial Air business was sold to Intelsat for $400 million in December 2020. According to Gogo, over 2,500 commercial aircraft and 6,600 business aircraft have been equipped with its onboard Wi-Fi services. The company is the developer of 2Ku, new in-flight satellite-based Wi-Fi technology rolled out in 2015.
AeroMobile Communications Limited is a registered mobile network operator for the aviation industry and is based in the UK. It provides technology and services that allow the safe use of passengers' own mobile phones while inflight. A subsidiary of Panasonic Avionics Corporation its services are often installed alongside Panasonic's Wi-Fi network and can be installed either at the point of aircraft manufacture or retro-fitted across both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Panasonic Avionic's Wi-Fi network and AeroMobile's mobile phone network are complimentary services and provide passengers with a choice of inflight connectivity options.
An inflight magazine is a free magazine distributed via the seats of an airplane, by an airline company, or in an airport lounge.
First class is a travel class on some passenger airliners intended to be more luxurious than business class, premium economy, and economy class. Originally, all planes offered only one class of service, with a second class appearing first in 1955 when TWA introduced two different types of service on its Super Constellations.