Air travel has long given those on business some respite from doing work while in the air. Limited or no access to the internet has allowed travellers to partake in one of the many in-flight movies or to catch up on the latest best-selling novel. However, in-flight WiFi is becoming ever more prevalent, with many airlines now offering the service.
RouteHappy, the product differentiation platform for air travel, recently released its ‘Global State of In-Flight Wi-Fi’ report detailing WiFi coverage from some of the world’s leading airlines.
Highlighting the drastically changed landscape of in-flight WiFi, the report revealed that 52 airlines worldwide now offer Wi-Fi coverage in most regions of the globe.
CBR takes a look at the report, giving you a countdown of the best WiFi coverage offered by airlines – unfortunately this means that soon there will be no excuses in replying to that important email or updating your twitter at 30,000ft.
1. Virgin America: Nearly 100% of flight miles with WiFi
Not only does Virgin America have WiFi on every flight to keep you connected, but standard and USB plugs are also available at every seat. The service promises to give ‘power to the passengers’.
Prices for the in-flight WiFi for main cabin passengers ranges from $4.95 to $34.95.
2: Delta: Nearly 70% of flight miles with WiFi
Although approximately 30% behind Virgin America when it comes to coverage based on flight miles, Delta was the airline that topped the number of flights with WiFi – over 3500 flights offered coverage.
Delta uses Gogo, offering the service within the continental U.S. and portions of Alaska. Delta also offer a specific Wi-Fi Mobile Pass to connect your Smartphone to the WiFi. Available from just $1.95, it allows Smartphone users to send and receive mobile messages via apps like Apple iMessage, Blackberry Messenger, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts and Facebook Messenger.
Prices for the in-flight WiFi are $16 for a 24-hour pass.
3. Icelandair: Nearly 90% of flight miles with WiFi
Wi-Fi has been activated in several airplanes of the Icelandair fleet, with installation of Wi-Fi in all airplanes expected to be finished by the beginning of 2015. All Icelandair flights with a Wi-Fi equipped airplane are expected to have a Wi-Fi connection, but some areas on N-American routes are out of network range. Each seat has a USB power port that can be used to recharge most devices.
Prices for the in-flight WiFi are variable, with complimentary Wi-Fi available for Saga Class passengers and Saga Gold members.
4. Norweigan: Over 80% of flight miles with WiFi
Norwegian claims to be the first airline to offer high-speed broadband on flights within Europe. Per February 2014, 80% of the fleet’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft have WiFi on board. The airline has won international acclaim for the in-flight WiFi, taking home a Passenger Choice Awards in September 2013. Norwegian is currently not offering WiFi on its long-haul flights.
Prices for the in-flight WiFi are variable.
5. Southwest: Over 80% of flight miles with WiFi
You can find out if your flight has WiFi via the airline’s "WiFi Finder" within 24 hours of departure by simply entering your confirmation number, first and last name. Southwest Airlines offers the coverage via the largest satellite-based WiFi system in the world. Makes sure to power your devices pre-flight as there are no power outlets to charge devices.
Prices for the in-flight WiFi are $8 a day per device.
6. Jetblue: Under 80% of flight miles with WiFi
JetBlue’s Fly-Fi is the airline’s broadband Internet, brought to passengers by the JetBlue’s partnership with LiveTV. Available on a number of JetBlue aircraft, the airline is working to install the service across its fleet as quickly as possible. While the service is in its beta period, the basic web browsing plan, Simply Surf, will be free with a high-bandwidth plan available for purchase.
Prices for the in-flight WiFi are $9 per hour.
7. American/US: over 50% of flight miles with WiFi
The airline’s new 777-300ER and select 777-200 planes are equipped with international Wi-Fi, with domestic Wi-Fi now available on nearly all flights within the U.S. International Wi-Fi is only available for purchase once on board the aircraft, where you will be able to use any Wi-Fi-enabled device.
Prices for the in-flight WiFi are $16 for a 24-hour pass.
8. Etihad: around 50% of flight miles with WiFi
With coverage only available on select Etihad flights, the airline is currently rolling out mobile and internet services across its fleet. Although coverage does not stand up to the competition at the moment, the upside is that an in-seat power supply is offered.
Prices for the in-flight WiFi can be found on the in-flight Wi-Fi portal.
9. Singapore Airlines: Under 50% of flight miles with WiFi
Together with connectivity service providers, OnAir or Panasonic, the airline is making these services progressively available on its A380 and Boeing 777-300ER fleet.
Depending on the connectivity service provider, prices for the in-flight WiFi may either be volume-based (e.g. $9.99 for 10 MB) or time-based (e.g. $11.95 for 1 hour).
10. United: Over 30% of flight miles with WiFi
The airline is in the process of installing United Wi-Fi, and is now available on select aircraft. Managed by provider Gogo, United have had coverage since 2009, offering the service on a fleet of three-cabin Boeing 757s flying between New York JFK and Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Prices for the in-flight WiFi vary. On most aircraft equipped with United Wi-Fi, pricing for Internet access is determined and charged by flight segment (from takeoff to landing).
RouteHappy analysed all commercial flights in the global schedule on a typical mid-week travel day. RouteHappy scoured thousands of data points to determine the exact status of WiFi deployment.
RouteHappy included whether there is "some" chance, "good" chance, or "very good" chance that a particular flight will have Wi-Fi. The above percentages are based on the airline offering at least a very good chance of WiFi.
