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Budget airlines lag behind in internet availability

In-Flight Entertainment: Numerous airlines, particularly those taking off from Germany, provide surfing and chatting services, sometimes for a charge, and at other times free of cost, based on a market study.

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3 min read
Affordable airline companies lack internet services compared to airlines with higher priced tickets
Affordable airline companies lack internet services compared to airlines with higher priced tickets

Budget airlines lag behind in internet availability

In the modern world of travel, staying connected is essential for many passengers. However, it's important to note that no airline guarantees internet on all flights, according to Verivox. This article aims to shed light on the various in-flight internet and messaging offerings from some of the most popular airlines.

When it comes to internet packages, more than half of the 25 airlines with the most departures from Germany offer such services on various connections. The cost of these packages can vary significantly, with prices ranging between approximately $4 to $25, depending on the flight duration and speed. For instance, China Airlines charges $11.95 for 1 hour, $16.95 for 3 hours, and $21.95 for the entire flight. Some airlines offer monthly subscription plans, such as American Airlines with rates starting at $49.95 per month for North American flights.

Regarding free messaging services, several airlines provide complimentary access to popular apps like iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp. Alaska Airlines offers free texting on all internet-enabled flights, while Southwest Airlines allows free messaging via iMessage and WhatsApp on all flights, with Wi-Fi access outside messaging costing $8 per device per flight. Air France, KLM, and China Airlines also provide free messaging passes with these messaging apps.

Other airlines, such as Japan Airlines, Qantas (domestic flights), Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, and some Asian carriers, offer various forms of free or partially free messaging. For example, Qatar Airways offers 15 minutes free messaging, while Lufthansa, KLM, Austrian Airlines, United Airlines, Discover Airlines, and Swiss sometimes allow messaging for free on select routes.

It's worth noting that airlines using Starlink Wi-Fi, such as Hawaiian Airlines, offer high-speed internet, sometimes free for loyalty members, but messaging specifics vary by airline.

In summary, while full Wi-Fi access typically costs $4–$25 per flight hour/block, many airlines offer complimentary messaging on popular apps, allowing passengers to stay connected economically during flights. However, it's always recommended to keep flight mode on during flight for safety reasons and to prevent high roaming charges from accidental connection to the airline's on-board network.

For uninterrupted media consumption during flights, downloading media content before the flight is recommended due to low internet speeds on flights. Using on-board entertainment is an alternative for smooth streaming. Passengers should be aware that even free messaging tariffs can cost as little as 1.70 euros in some cases, and the internet speed in expensive packages is usually less than 4 megabits per second, which is insufficient for smooth streaming.

Here's a table summarising the typical Wi-Fi costs and free messaging availability for some major airlines:

| Airline(s) | Typical Wi-Fi Cost | Free Messaging Availability | |-------------------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | American Airlines | $3.99–$24.90 (per flight) | Messaging apps included at a low cost or free for some classes/members[1] | | China Airlines | $11.95–$21.95 (per flight) | Free messaging (LINE, WeChat, Messenger, iMessage, WhatsApp) for premium passengers and some members[5] | | Alaska Airlines | Free texting (iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger) | Yes, all flights[2] | | Southwest Airlines | $8 per flight/device (full Wi-Fi) | Free messaging via iMessage and WhatsApp[2][4] | | Air France & KLM | Short-haul ~$3, long-haul up to $33 | Free messaging apps only[1] | | Qantas (domestic flights) | Wi-Fi varies; free messaging available | Yes, on most Boeing 737 and Airbus A330-200 | | Japan Airlines | Free Wi-Fi on domestic flights | Yes, messaging included[2] | | Philippine Airlines | Complimentary 3MB chat plan, $10 for extra 100MB | Messaging available[2] | | Qatar Airways | 15 minutes free, longer via sponsorship | Yes, included[2] | | Hawaiian Airlines (Starlink) | Free for MileagePlus members | Varies, generally high-speed internet available[3] |

For passengers flying with airlines that do not offer any internet on board, such as Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizz Air, Corendon, Marabu, Sun Express, Air Dolomiti, and Lufthansa City Airlines, using on-board entertainment is an alternative for uninterrupted media consumption during flights.

  1. To help manage costs, some travelers may opt for free messaging services offered by airlines like Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Air France, KLM, Air France, and China Airlines, allowing them to stay connected via popular apps during flights.
  2. For those seeking high-speed internet during their flights, airlines such as Hawaiian Airlines (using Starlink Wi-Fi) offer this service, although the cost and messaging specifics can vary based on the airline's loyalty programs.

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