‘‘Above the clouds … freedom must be limitless’… for the longest time however digital freedom was not. The new remote work world presents airlines with a major challenge and brings growing Wi-Fi solutions. An overview.’ Kai Boecking
Airlines started experimenting with “Wi-Fi above the clouds” years ago. The result was usually quite slow, expensive and unreliable. A lot has happened since then, as every frequent flyer can tell. However there still remains an information jungle, if you want to find out which airline is ahead or is more likely to be ahead when it comes to Wi-Fi. The range extends from supposedly free internet for all classes, to access only through customer loyalty programmes, to payment options, from message service to full-rate internet above the clouds. It is getting increasingly faster above the clouds, but nothing works without registration – and a lot is still in the planning stage.
Air France is announcing a new high-speed internet service this summer that will be available to all passengers free of charge, regardless of travel class. All you need to do is log in with a Flying Blue account. Until then, most Wi-Fi packages are subject to payment. This also applies to KLM.
Cathay Pacific plans to equip all aircraft with Wi-Fi by the middle of the year. The service is free of charge for First and Business Class passengers, as well as for Diamond members. All other guests can purchase packages. A customer loyalty programme is not necessary. Roaming is also an option.
Delta Airlines plans to equip all aircrafts with the Viasat Wi-Fi system by the end of 2025, making it available to its guests free of charge. Here, also, a membership in the frequent flyer programme SkyMiles is required.
Emirates is a pioneer of remote working at 30,000 feet. The lowest level of Skywards membership allows you to chat for free via WhatsApp, Messenger and other apps. Wi-Fi is free for passengers with higher membership levels or flying first class. Paid packages are available for everyone else.
Finnair offers Wi-Fi on all Airbus aircrafts. Only access to the airline’s website is free of charge. On long distance flights, Business Class passengers and Finnair Plus Gold members receive one hour of free access. On medium- and long distance flights, packages are available that can be paid for with money or Avios.
Lufthansa (including Swiss and Austrian Airlines) has just announced that it will offer the sending and receiving of messages on all long distance flights, for all classes, from summer 2025. Unlimited, free of charge, including sending pictures. But not every guest will be able to enjoy it. The Lufthansa Group requires a Travel ID or a Miles & More account. All other services will remain subject to a fee, depending on the surf-speed.
Qatar Airways is also logging into Elon Musk’s Starlink network, aircraft by aircraft. By the end of 2025, all Boeing 777-300s are to be equipped with the super-fast network, which will then – supposedly – be offered free of charge for all classes. By the end of 2026, Airbus aircraft should also be Starlink-compatible. Until then, Wi-Fi on board will continue to require a fee. Privilege Club members receive one hour of access per flight for free.
With Singapore Airlines, bleisure travellers have been able to enjoy free high-speed Wi-Fi in all classes for some time now, with no gradations. To do so, you must either be a member of the KrisFlyer programme, fly Suite, First or Business Class, or be a PPS member. If you do not meet these conditions, you may purchase various packages.
Turkish Airlines, the airline with the most flights in the world, also offers digital access above the clouds. Chatting is free with Miles&Smiles access. Those who want it without membership, faster, longer and with more data volume, pay extra.
United Airlines has also announced that it will be upgrading above the clouds. By the end of the year, the airline’s regional fleet is to be equipped with SpaceX’s ultra-fast Starlink. The first long distance aircrafts are to follow by the end of the year. Wi-Fi service will be free for all MileagePlus members and include the same features as connectivity on the ground. Until then, Wi-Fi at United will remain largely chargeable, including day and month passes.
Conclusion
Airlines are upgrading their Wi-Fi, because a functioning internet connection above the clouds is a big selling point – not only for remote workers and bleisure travellers, but for anyone who wants or needs to be online. For the most part, access is still linked to the airline’s miles programme or travel class. In the future, it should be easier to find your way through the Wi-Fi jungle above the clouds.
Bleisure Traveller will follow up on the topic as a series of reports titled Work@Sky and will regularly test airlines and their Wi-Fi capabilities in the future.
Kai Böcking …
… keeps saying “wow” to Hong Kong, especially because of the culinary bleisure opportunities here. Maybe one day he will create a “bleisure food atlas”.
Fotos: © United airlines, Emirates, Kantoci
