WiFi is everywhere, from cafes to bus stops, trains to airports, it’s a service that people on the go value highly.
Unfortunately the WiFi craze hasn’t reached its fullest potential yet and we can’t wait for the day it’s included (for free) in the flights of the future.
Can you get WiFi on a plane?
WiFi is available in the air depending on the airline you’re flying with. Many airlines, like British Airways, offer WiFi for a small fee, but there are a handful of airlines that have free WiFi onboard, like Emirates and Turkish Airlines.
Though frequent fliers have made their pleas to the airlines to offer onboard internet, when the service is available it isn’t always up to par with the tech-savvy traveller’s needs…
An increasing number of airlines like Finnair, Srilankan Airlines, Kuwait Airways, TAAG Angola Airlines, and WestJet have announced that they’ll soon be implementing WiFi on their planes. However, there’s still a long way to go when it comes to the quality of WiFi offered in the sky. Exorbitant pricing and slow speeds that would make even a snail yawn are deterring fliers from considering purchasing internet aboard.
At the moment only eight airlines offer free inflight WiFi: Emirates, JetBlue, Norwegian, Turkish Airlines, Air China, Philippine Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines and Nok Air.
Want to know which airlines offer inflight internet access? Here’s the complete list:
Complete list of Airlines that offer inflight WiFi and/or GSM internet access
Aer Lingus
- Aircraft: A330 aircraft on all transatlantic routes
- Providers: Panasonic Avionics, AeroMobile and Deutsche Telekom
- Internet price: Business class passengers – free; Aer Social – €6.95/$7.95 USD for 50MB; Aer Surf €13.95/$15.95 USD for 120MB; and Aer Max €29.95/$32.95 for 270MB
Aeroflot
- Aircraft: “Sky High” wifi service available on Airbus 330 and Boeing 777
- Providers: Sitaonair
- Internet price: 10MB – $5; 30MB – $15; 100MB – $40; 150MB – $50
AirAsia
- Aircraft: 33 aircrafts currently have the chat wifi service and they’re continually expanding
- Provider: roKKi wifi service allows passengers to use roKKi chats to send text messages over Whatsapp, WeChat and LINE.
- Internet price: $2 for 3MB to use on roKKi Chats and $4,50 for 10MB for lightweight internet usage which doesn’t include YouTube/app downloads
Air Canada
- Aircraft: 129 planes (different models) already have in-flight WiFi and the company has announced plans to roll out this feature to international flights.
- Provider: Gogo
- Internet price: Gogo Unlimited $49.95/month (unlimited internet on all Gogo equipped airlines); Gogo All Day Pass $14 (24 hours of internet access on the same airline); 1-Hour Pass $5 (internet access on any single domestic Gogo equipped flight); The Traveler Pass $39.95 (monthly subscription for unlimited internet on one Gogo equipped airline). The top 2 tiers of Air Canada frequent flyers (Altitude Elite 75K and Super Elite 100K) have free unlimited 6 or 12 month passes.
Air China
- Aircraft: Airbus 330 and Boeing 777
- Provider: Current provider not specified.
- Internet price: Free but not allowed on smartphones.
Air Europa
- Aircraft: B737-800 aircrafts on all long haul flights, and some airplanes of short and medium haul flights.
- Provider: WiFiOnTheAir
- Internet price: 30MB for €6 on short & medium haul flights, and €7 on long haul. 60MB for €10 on short & medium haul flights, and €13 on long haul. 100MB for €15 on short & medium haul flights, and €20 on long haul.
Air France
- Aircraft: Boeing 777, 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330
- Provider: Gogo / Panasonic Avionics
- Internet price: 5€ (~$6 USD) for 20MB, 10€ (~$12 USD) for 50MB and 30€ (~$36 USD) for 200 MB
AirTran
- Aircraft: All aircraft
- Provider: Gogo
- Internet price: Gogo Unlimited $49.95/month (unlimited internet on all Gogo equipped airlines); Gogo All Day Pass $14 (24 hours of internet access on the same airline); 1-Hour Pass $5 (internet access on any single domestic Gogo equipped flight); The Traveler Pass $39.95 (monthly subscription for unlimited internet on one Gogo equipped airline)
Alaska Airlines
- Aircraft: All the Boeing 737s and Embraer 175 jets.
- Provider: Gogo
- Internet price: Gogo Unlimited $49.95/month (unlimited internet on all Gogo equipped airlines); Gogo All Day Pass $14 (24 hours of internet access on the same airline); 1-Hour Pass $5 (internet access on any single domestic Gogo equipped flight); The Traveler Pass $39.95 (monthly subscription for unlimited internet on one Gogo equipped airline)
Alitalia
- Aircraft: Selected Long Haul (14 Airbus 330 and 5 Boeing 777)
- Provider: Panasonic
- Internet price: 4 packages available depending on the needs
All Nippon Airways
- Aircraft: All flights
- Provider: AeroMobile
- Internet price: Lite: 10MB for $2; Flexi: 50MB for $6; FlexiPlus: 90MB for $12; Business: 200MB for $20
American Airlines
- Aircraft: Domestic Wi-Fi is now available on nearly all flights within the US. On International flights there is Wi-Fi available on the 777-300ER, 787 Dreamliner and some 777-200 planes
- Provider: Gogo
- Internet price: International flights WiFi prices – 2 hours for $12; 4 hour pass for $17 and duration of flight pass for $19. The Domestic flights WiFi prices are: All Day Pass $14 (24 hours of internet access on AA/US Airways flights); The Traveler Pass $49.95 (monthly subscription for unlimited internet on on AA/US Airways flights);
ANA
- Aircraft: Designated international flights using B777-300ER and B767-300ER aircraft. Will be gradually installed to all B777-300ER and a part of B767-300ER aircraft.
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: 5MB for $6 USD; 10MB for $12 USD; 20MB for $24 USD
British Airways
- Aircraft: Boeing 787 and Airbus A380
- Provider: .air
- Internet price: £8 (~$14 USD) for 1 hour, £18 (~$24 USD) for 4 hours and £24 (~$32 USD) for the entire flight. First hour for free thanks to VISA.
Cebu Pacific Air
- Aircraft: A330 fleet
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: 25MB for $5 USD and 50MB for $10 USD
China Eastern Airlines
- Aircraft: Airbus 330 and Boeing 777-300ER (entire fleet WiFi enabled by 2018)
- Provider: AsiaSat-6 satellite
- Internet price: TBA
Delta Air Lines
- Aircraft: All A319, 320, B737, B757, B767, MD88, MD90, CRJ 700, CRJ 900, ERJ 170, ERJ 175. On select DC9 and B757. On US Domestic flights only.
- Provider: Delta Connect & Gogo. Delta will be providing Gogo’s new 2ku satellite service on all long haul fleets.
- Internet price: New 2ku satellite service: TBA. Mobile Pass starting at $1.95; Gogo Unlimited $49.95/month (unlimited internet on all Gogo equipped airlines); Gogo All Day Pass $14 (24 hours of internet access on the same airline); The Traveler Pass $39.95 (monthly subscription for unlimited internet on one Gogo equipped airline); Delta Monthly Pass $49.95. Delta Annual Pass $599.
Egypt Air
- Aircraft: On selected A330-300
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: 2 price packages available based on time and usage
Emirates
- Aircraft: On about 60% of total fleet – all A380s and some B777
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: 20MB free in all classes on A380 aircraft. 150MB for $9.99 and 500MB for $15.99. Free for Emirates Skywards members in First class and Business class during the whole flight.
Etihad
- Aircraft: Airbus A330-200
- Provider: Wi-Fly
- Internet price: 30MB for $4.95; 90MB for $11.95 and 180MB for $19.95. Free for Etihad’s Diamond First Class passengers
EVA Air
- Aircraft: On selected B777-300ER aircraft
- Provider: Sky Wi-Fi provided by Deutsche Telekom
- Internet price: $11.95 USD for 1 hour; $16.95 USD for 3 hours; $21.95 USD for 24 hours
Finnair
- Aircraft: Airbus A350 and Airbus A330.
- Provider: Nordic Sky Wi-Fi portal
- Internet price: $6 USD per 1 hour; or $18 USD for the duration of the flight. Free and without limits for business class passengers and frequent flyers.
Garuda Indonesia
- Aircraft: B777-300ER and Airbus 330-200/300
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: 15 minutes for free on all flights. Aboard B777-300ER – Executive Class & Economy Class passengers: $11.95 1 hour unlimited browsing; $16.95 for 3 hours; $21.95 for an unlimited 24-hours; or $5 USD for text chat (20MB). First Class passengers: free.
Aboard Airbus 330-200/300 – Executive Class & Economy Class passengers: $5 USd for 30 minutes (up to 15MB); $11.95 USD for 1 hour (up to 30MB); ·16.95 for 3 hours (up to 50MB); and $21.95 USD for the whole flight (up to 100MB). First Class passengers: free.
GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes
- Aircraft: TBA
- Provider: Gogo
- Internet price: Light Package for browsing – Prices start at $3 USD for 1 hour; $5 USD for over 1 hour. Max Package for streaming – Prices start at $7 USD for 1 hour and $9 USD for over 1 hour. Message Package for Whatsapp/Skype/Facebook/Messenger start at $2 USD.
Gulf Air
- Aircraft: no information
- Provider: Panasonic Avionics
- Internet price: Unlimited MB $15/BHD 6 per hour ; Unlimited MB $30/BHD 11 for 24 hours
HongKong Airlines
- Aircraft: All Airbus A330-200 aircraft
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: Free
Iberia
- Aircraft: Airbus A330-200
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: €8.99 (~$10 USD) for 1 hour or 80MB; 24.99€ (~$30 USD) for 4 hours or 200MB; €29.99 (~$35 USD) or 400MB for the whole flight.
Icelandair
- Aircraft: Entire fleet.
- Provider: Row44
- Internet price: Economy class: Prices start at €6 depending on the route and lenght. I’s free for Saga Class passengers and Saga Gold members.
JAL
- Routes: JAL SKY Wi-Fi available on select routes: Tokyo(Narita) – New York(JL005/006)/Chicago/Los Angeles/Frankfurt/Jakarta(JL725/726), Tokyo(Haneda) – London/Paris(JL045/046) and Sydney – Tokyo (Boeing 777).
- Provider: T-Mobile
- Internet price: 1 hour for $10.15 USD; 3 hours for $14.10 USD; 24 hours for $18.80.
JetBlue
- Aircraft: limited number of JetBlue aircraft – available on all A321, and progressively across A320 and E190.
- Provider: Fly-Fi
- Internet price: Free for the Simply Surf basic version; $9 USD per hour streaming for Fly-Fi Plus.
Lufthansa
- Aircraft: all long haul routes and certain short and medium-haulr routes on its A320 fleet.
- Provider: FlyNet
- Internet price: HotSpot Pass Sky 1 hour: €9 (~$10 USD) or 3,000 miles; 4 hours: €14 (~$15.50 USD) or 4,500 miles; 24 hours: €17 (~$19 USD) or 5,500 miles. On short-haul and medium-haul routes the FlyNet prices are the following: €3 (~$3.50 USD) or 1,000 miles for FlyNet Message; €7 (~$8 USD) or 2,300 miles for FlyNet Surf; and €12 (~$14 USD) or 4,000 miles for FlyNet Stream.
Libyan Airlines
- Aircraft: A330 (long-haul flights to and from Tripoli)
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: no information
Malindoair
- Aircraft: Boeing 737-900ER aircraft on select flights.
- Provider: Panasonic Avionics (eXConnect in-flight broadband connectivity)
- Internet price: Social Media Lite plan: $1.25 USD for 25MB; 1 hour session for $9.95 USD; Full Flight session for $15.95 USD.
Mango Airlines
- Aircraft: All (Boeing 737-800)
- Provider: G-Connect
- Internet price: R50 (~$4 USD) for a single flight that is valid for 3 hours; R250 (~$20 USD) for the “Super Traveller Pass” with 300 minutes and valid for 1 month.
Nok Air
- Aircraft: On one Boeing 737-800 and some Boeing 737.
- Provider: Thaicom PLC
- Internet price: Free
Norwegian
- Aircraft: 61 out of 76 Boeing 737-800 (flights within Europe short & medium-haul). Currently not offering WiFi on its long-haul flights.
- Provider: Row44
- Internet price: Free
Oman Air
- Aircraft: Airbus A330 and Boeing 787
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: On smartphone $5-15; Laptops/in-flight entertainment screen $15-40
Philippine Airlines (PAL)
- Aircraft: Boeing 777 (only available on route London to Manila and Manila to London), A330s and 6 A340s.
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: Free for 30 minutes or 15 MB. Subscription plans: $5 USD for 35 MB and $20 USD for 150MB.
Qatar Airways
- Aircraft: A380, A350, B787, A319, and select A320, A321, A330-200 aircrafts.
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: Prices depends on the passenger’s network provider’s international roaming charges.
Ryanair
- Aircraft: To trial on top business routes.
- Provider: unknown
- Internet price: TBD. However, may be free for e-mail access only
SAS
- Aircraft: On select (10) Boeing 737-800 fleet (flights within Europe) and all the long-haul fleet.
- Provider: Panasonic
- Internet price: SAS Go passengers: €6 (~$7 USD) in Scandinavia and Europe; €15 (~$19) in the rest of the world. SAS Plus, SAS Business, EuroBonus Gold and Diamond members: Free.
Saudi Arabian Airlines
- Aircraft: Airbus A330 and select Boeing 777-300ER aircrafts
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: Prices depends on the passenger’s network provider’s international roaming charges.
Singapore Airlines
- Aircraft: Airbus A380, 350 and Boeing 777-300ER
- Provider: SITAONAIR and Panasonic
- Internet price: Depends on time or MB usage
Southwest Airlines
- Aircraft: Progressively across entire fleet
- Provider: Row 44
- Internet price: $8 all day, per device
TAM
- Aircraft: select Airbus A319, A320, A321 on domestic flights within Brazil
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: Prices depends on the passenger’s network provider’s international roaming charges.
TAP Portugal
- Aircraft: A330 (Pedro Nunes, Vasco da Gama, João XXI and João Gonçalves Zarco) fleet. On routes between Europe and North and South America.
- Provider: OnAir
- Internet price: 4MB for $4.99; 14MB for $14.99; and 50MB for $45
THAI Airways
- Aircraft: Airbus A330-300, A380-800 and A350-900 (long-haul flights only)
- Provider: Panasonic and SITAONAIR.
- Internet price: 10MB for $4.99 USD; 20MB for $8.99 USD; 30MB for $12.99 USD and 100MB for $34.99 USD.
Turkish Airlines
- Aircraft: B777-300ER aircrats and progressively on A330-300s.
- Provider: TTNet
- Internet price: Free for Business Class travellers. For Economy Class passengers it costs $9.99 USD per hour or $14.99 for 24 hours.
United
- Aircraft: The whole fleet except Guam-based aircrafts.
- Provider: Gogo and United Wi-Fi℠
- Internet price: Unlimited access on United flights $17. Gogo Unlimited $49.95/month (unlimited internet on all Gogo equipped airlines); Gogo All Day Pass $14 (24 hours of internet access on the same airline); 1-Hour Pass $5 (internet access on any single domestic Gogo equipped flight); The Traveler Pass $39.95 (monthly subscription for unlimited internet on one Gogo equipped airline).
US Airways
- Aircraft: Airbus A321, A320, A319 and Embraer 170, 175 and 190. Also available on on all Boeing 777-300ER flights and select 777-300ER, 787 Dreamliner and 777-200.
- Provider: Gogo
- Internet price: All Day Pass $14 (24 hours of internet access on AA/US Airways flights); The Traveler Pass $39.95 (monthly subscription for unlimited internet on on AA/US Airways flights). In international routes the price is $12 USD for 2 hours; $17USD for 4 hours and the whole flight for $19 USD.
Vietnam Airlines
- Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350.
- Provider: Gogo
- Internet price: Estimated at $15-$20 on international flights and possibly free on domestic.
Virgin America
- Aircraft: Entire fleet (US domestic flights only, coverage does not extend 100 miles beyond the US border)
- Provider: Gogo
- Internet price: 30-minute session $2; Gogo Unlimited $49.95/month (unlimited internet on all Gogo equipped airlines); Gogo All Day Pass $14 (24 hours of internet access on the same airline); 1-Hour Pass $5 (internet access on any single domestic Gogo equipped flight); The Traveler Pass $39.95 (monthly subscription for unlimited internet on one Gogo equipped airline)
Vueling
- Aircraft: Airbus 320 on all transatlantic routes
- Providers: Telefónica will use LiveTV’s high-speed technology with Eutelsat’s AIR ACCE. Service with KA-SAT satellite
- Internet price: TBA
WestJet
- Aircraft: All Boeing 767ER aircrafts and select Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircrafts
- Provider: WestJet Connect
- Internet price: 30-minute pass for $4.99 to $5.74 USD; 3-hours pass for $8.99 to $10.34 USD; Flight pass for $13.99 to $16 USD.
A very informative article has been written here. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to your next article.
Qatar Airways starts adding wifi equipment to its Boeing 777 fleet which has been offline so far.
Hi – HK Airlines is not really wifi (can’t be used on electronic products and only for the on board flight entertainment system)
Great list and very helpful, do you have an updated list available?
If you have a wifi plan from US mobile (www.usmobile.com/wifi) you get access to wifi on all these airlines for $10/month.
It seems strange that we still have to pay such inflated prices. No doubt in ten year time it will be free.
Hmm… this hasn’t been added it, has it?
This hasn’t been added it, has it?
I know its a year ago but seriously 1 USD for 500 MB thats insanely cheap.
Air Serbia also offers inflight WiFi
I did tried on Emirates recently but very slow indeed
BA JFK-LCY-JFK aircraft is an Airbus 318 not a 744. Great list. Thanks
It would be nice to know how stong the wifi is. I can barely check e-mail on GoGo. I want to be able to stream video.
It’s ridiculous to charge for WiFi on flights to be honest, but I can understand if someone is using a lot of MB’s. But last I flew with Emirates in July 2015 on their A380 it had WiFi, Apparently they had a 60% coverage on their total fleet and 10 MB for free in all classes. And if you needed more then you could purchase 500 MB for 1 USD which sounds very reasonable.
You’re very welcome @astintabroad:disqus! 🙂
When he was on the ground he had his cellular data from his carrier. As soon as the plane takes off he losses all access to his carrier.
If we pay all that money for a ticket getting free inflight wifi would be the best airlines can do.
So, a few more airlines give free WiFi to their First and Business Class passengers. How about an article with an update on this?
Thanks for this list!
Emirates has Connectivity on 64 B777’s now, Panasonic system but using OnAir WISP. Pricing is $1 for 500 MB or 10MB for free on the NxT Portal version. All aircraft are being switched over to the new portal.
GL WiFi is a new service that offers unlimited WiFi on board Lufthansa flights.. Should be added on the list!
I,m flighing to Tenerife with tomas cook, does anyone know if wi-fi available on flight? cheers
Hi Cassy. As of now, United Airways hasn’t provided an update on this particular airbus. The A330-200, however, does offer the use of portable electronic devices under 10,000 feet. There is also a USB port at every seat. Thanks for reaching out!
Are there any updates on the US Airways 330-200 plans, US to UK?
Thanks for the info, John! We’ll be sure to include it.
SriLankan also offers wi-fi http://www.srilankan.com/a/flying-with-us/in-flight-wifi
Thanks, Venus! We will make that update.
hi. i would like to point out that hk airlines does not fly to london anymore. they still have wifi service though.
China airlines from Taiwan has inflight wifi service, at least on the new 777 planes. I connected only to see the fee schedule, so I can’t say anything about the performances.
You’re very welcome!
Hi Leslysandra! Thanks for reaching out. What, specifically, would you like to know about travelling and wifi? Also, please let us which airline you will be travelling on and we’ll be happy to help. Thanks!
Thank you
hi! I am reading about WiFi on airplains while traveling in South America, do you have some info??? thanks!
Thanks for the update! We appreciate it 🙂
Hi Chelsea,
I’d like to add, due to short runway at London City airport, B747 cannot operate there, so they operate A318 on LCY-JFK route and as you mentioned earlier for inflight connectivity network provider roaming charges apply. 🙂
Thanks @disqus_TebjlPKV5f:disqus for the info. We’ve updated the prices 🙂
Lufthansa has the best wifi on board. Download speeds 5mbps and upload 1mbps. I can use facetime easily. Also the prices have changed. It’s 17 euro for 24 hours now.
Thank you @disqus_OM5tu1hL8K:disqus! I’ve updated the information 🙂
Great summary Chelsea, however the British Airways section isn’t 100% correct. They are testing WiFi on a Boeing 747 (G-CIVG), with a charge of £10 for an hour, or £17.50 for 24 hours 🙂
Thank you @disqus_igfSEF0ZdG:disqus! It’s been added to the list.
Don’t forget EVA Air located in Taiwan. She has always been rated as the top 10 best airlines by many media.
Of course! I have sent you an email 🙂
Hi Chelsea,
I am writing a article about inflight wifi
can i please contact you for some info?
Thanks, Nitisha
No worries! Singapore Airlines does have wifi available on some of their routes – it’s being progressively made available on A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
Sorry. Could be a misunderstanding.I think by the time my friend called me via whatsapp ,the plane had not taken off yet. He did not sent me messages for three to four hours later. So I guess no free wifi during the flight. Regret any inconvenience caused.
We’ll investigate about the free wifi on Singapore Airlines 🙂 Thanks for letting us know
My friend just called me via whatsapp using free Wi-Fi.He is now in a SQ plane.
Chelsea – I’m a producer for CNN Travel interested in featuring your blog on an article I’m writing on IFE. Can you tell me how you verified all this info for these airlines? And is it all up to date?
Maybe when it’s free of cost on land they’ll make it free of cost in the air too 😛
Within the next few years all airlines will definitely catch up to speed with the inflight wifi trend!
It’s good to know the technology developing day by day.Now we can send the text message to anyone from air.Because some airlines are providing sky high connectivity.These day Wifi has become a competitive tool for airlines.Whoever providing faster Wifi services, they will be in the competition.Already United Airlines has begun to introduce Wifi on long-haul international flights.Wish to see more airlines provide this facility for passengers.
Thanks @bobby27ph:disqus we’ll add it to the list ASAP 😀
Philippine Airlines has Inflight Wifi and Wireless IFE
Thank you @disqus_dZ85W9msC9:disqus for the information! We’ve added Aer Lingus to the list!
Thanks @perfecttravelconsultant:disqus ! Feel free to share it with whomever you’d like 😀
Hi
Really very useful and very informative post. Thanks for sharing.
I object why they are charging for their Wifi.. It should be free of cost. http://goo.gl/XQTa4u
Aer Lingus offers wifi on its full fleet of A330 aircraft, connecting DUB and SNN with JFK, BOS, MCO, ORD, and SFO. http://www.aerlingus.com/inflight-experience/comfort-and-entertainment/longhaul/wifi-connectivity/
Hi Emma! So sorry to delay in responding! I have just sent you an email, would love to get your input!
Hi Emma, very sorry for the late response! I have emailed you now and would love the input!
Hi Chelsea, great article. What is you source for “researchers estimating that in the United Kingdom alone the absence of in-flight WiFi is costing the British economy £640m a year”? I cannot find it. Thank you!
Hi Emma,
Suggestions are always welcome! 😀
Hi Chelsea, thanks for this great summary! Is there a way I can message you about a couple of extra bits of information? Hopefully I can help add a few more airlines and models! Thanks, Emma