Airplane Wi-Fi: Everything You Need to Know in 2025

For many passengers, flying on an airplane is already part of the journey, and looking at the sky through the window is a pleasure. But let's be honest. For those who travel quite often, airplane time becomes a bore. You can re-watch your favorite TV show or sleep again, but that's hardly how you wanted to spend your time.

In return, airlines are offering paid Wi-Fi on aeroplanes now. The plane will use either cell towers or a satellite to provide in-flight internet. Let's find out which companies offer the best Wi-Fi and prepare to travel with reliable ways to connect on the plane and when you arrive in a new place.

Can you get Wi-Fi on Aeroplanes: How Does It Work?

First, the Internet at 10 kilometers seems fantastic. So, can airplanes have Wi-Fi? It is possible thanks to two types of technology – air-to-ground Wi-Fi and satellite Internet on planes:

• An airplane with Wi-Fi is equipped with a special, very powerful antenna.
• During the flight, the antenna picks up the signal. The signal comes from either cell towers on the ground (SIM cards and eSIM providers also use them) or satellites in space.
• The signal is transmitted to the onboard Wi-Fi network and distributed to connected devices – passengers who have purchased Internet access.

Everything seems perfect, although there are significant limitations. Cell towers provide internet on the continent – they don't exist in the ocean. Passengers will be left without connectivity when the plane passes over the great seas and oceans.

Satellites solve this problem but pose another difficulty. Connection speed via satellite is relatively slow and unstable, so you must be ready for slowdowns. At the moment, only these two technologies offer Internet on airplanes.

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Do Aeroplanes Have Wi-Fi

Not all airplanes have Wi-Fi, and not all companies offer free versions. Here's how it works: the leading airlines in the world equip their planes with antennas, so passengers can buy Wi-Fi access.

Budget-friendly companies that cannot offer speedy, fulfilling in-flight Wi-Fi may offer paid or free messenger connections. In this case, passengers connect to an LTE/2G network, enough to chat in WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Snapchat, etc. You cannot complete any other tasks, though.

The offer may also depend on the distance. Usually, airlines use Wi-Fi-equipped planes for long-term flights, while in-country relocations don't offer Internet connection. In other words, the best idea for you as a client is to compare multiple airlines and specify their Wi-Fi services for the specific flight.

Why aren't all planes connected to Wi-Fi?

Connecting to the Internet at an altitude of 10,000 meters is quite costly. The standard wire and router used in homes are not enough. At the moment, several US companies have connected all airplanes to the Internet.

Source:statista

Yet, such a type of connection is still expensive for low-cost airlines.

Is There Wi-Fi on Planes: How Do You Connect to Networks?

Usually, passengers pay for Wi-Fi connection before the flight – do it while booking a ticket or separately on your airline's website. Once you are on board, the airplane staff gives you the Internet password:

• Open your device's settings and find the Wi-Fi section.
• Choose the airline's Wi-Fi spot and connect to it.
• Open your browser, and you will be automatically redirected to the airline's page.
• Depending on the company, you must enter your password (and use the Internet immediately) or choose an internet on planes package now.
• Finally, enjoy your flight with an Internet connection.

The network starts working simultaneously with the airplane – that is, you cannot use the Internet while boarding.

Can You Use Mobile Data On a Plane?

Mobile data vs. WiFi on airplanes is not a matter of discussion, as you won't be able to use mobile networks on a plane. Although your SIM card or eSIM should always be connected to cell towers, the power of the given chip is not enough to work in the air.

You can really use the SIM/eSIM while landing in a new place. The internet on the airplane will shut down as soon as you land, and the eSIM will start tracking the towers and connecting you to the data. To do this, select the provider, plan for your destination, and activate the eSIM data plan before departure.

Airlines Offering the Best Wi-Fi Services

Conditions and prices vary by company. Let's see which airlines offer the best Wi-Fi data plans.

Common Issues with Airplane Wi-Fi and How to Fix Them

Airlines did everything to facilitate the use of Wi-Fi. However, issues may happen once you turn the Plane Mode on or use the spot for the first time.

Issue 1: Connection Problems in Airplane Mode

Your device won't connect to Wi-Fi when in airplane mode. Solution: While airplane mode disables all wireless connections by default, you can still use Wi-Fi on airplane mode. Simply:

• Enable airplane mode first.
• Then manually turn Wi-Fi back on from your device's quick settings.
• Now you can connect to the aircraft's network while keeping cellular data disabled.

Issue 2: No Internet During Takeoff or Landing

You can't access Wi-Fi at the beginning or end of your flight. Solution: This is normal for how airplane Wi-Fi works. The service typically:

• Only activates when the aircraft reaches cruising altitude.
• Gets disabled during critical flight phases.
• Consider having an eSIM data plan ready for immediate connectivity upon landing in foreign countries.

Issue 3: Slow Connection Speeds

Airplane Wi-Fi runs frustratingly slow. Solution: This is often unavoidable due to how airplane Wi-Fi works (especially over oceans), but you can:

• Disable background applications that consume bandwidth.
• Enable data-saving mode in your browser settings.
• Avoid streaming or downloading large files.
• Try connecting during off-peak times when fewer passengers are online.

Issue 4: Prepaid Plan Not Working

Your purchased Wi-Fi package isn't connecting. Solution: Check if:

• The aircraft actually offers Wi-Fi (not all planes do, even within the same airline).
• You've correctly followed the connection instructions.
• Your device is compatible with the onboard system.
• Your payment was successfully processed.

Issue 5: Unexpected Disconnections

Your connection keeps dropping. Be aware that:

• Airplane Wi-Fi works through satellite connections that can be interrupted.
• Moving between satellite coverage areas may cause temporary outages.
• Some geographical regions have limited or no coverage.
• Reconnect after waiting a few minutes.

eSIM: Best Alternative for Airplane Wi-Fi

Tired of paying ridiculous prices for spotty airplane Wi-Fi? There's a better way. While most travelers grimace and reluctantly punch in their credit card details for in-flight connectivity, savvy flyers have discovered a money-saving secret: eSIM technology.

This digital alternative isn't just changing how we connect on the ground – it's revolutionizing our in-flight experience too. We have gathered the best eSIM for your flight through the skies.

The Future of Inflight Wi-Fi

The general idea is to use connection sources, independent of the altitude and position of the aircraft:

• Low-orbit satellites: You've probably heard of Starlink, which has internet coverage for almost the entire planet. It would seem that Starlink is also a satellite – the thing is, it's located in low-earth orbit and provides a better connection.
• 5G speed: With 5 G technology, it doesn't matter whether an airplane uses cell towers or satellites. Both will be faster.
• New connectivity technologies: The amount of Internet per user is limited. In the future, we should expect unlimited data packages that everyone can connect to.

Although it is too early to say about free Wi-Fi, this option is also possible. At the moment, companies are just installing Internet equipment and cannot afford free services – they would be too expensive. Over time, when the technology becomes cheaper, the leading airlines may make the Internet completely free to attract customers.

Conclusion: Your "Flight Internet" Check List

Now, you know how to use the internet on board, where it's available, and which companies offer the best connection. However, you may still need a good connection before and after the flight. Instead of a conclusion, use this checklist to prepare for your next airplane trip and ensure a stable connection:

• Define your priority. If messaging via WhatsApp and Telegram is enough, focus on JetBlue (airlines with totally free Wi-Fi on airplanes) or the Lufthansa messaging plan. If that's not enough, pay attention to Qatar Airways with their Starlink connection.
• Browse available Wi-Fi solutions to see if I can get Wi-Fi on a plane. To do this, visit the official websites of available airlines and choose the best conditions for free or paid Wi-Fi. Choose subscription formats if you're a frequent traveler. In other cases, focus on a one-time purchase.
• Prepay for Wi-Fi if possible. Most airlines allow you to prepay the plan, and Qatar Airways even offers a discount.
• Prepare to use data sparingly – download materials you may need in advance. Update apps and messengers, and then turn off cloud synchronization.
• Turn the Airplane mode on once you're on board. This action enables airplane mode Internet. Make sure you turned Wi-Fi on.
• Connect to the network once the plane takes off. To do this, open your Wi-Fi settings and connect to the available network. You may also need to enter the password in the browser.
• Ensure connectivity by the time of arrival. As soon as the plane lands, the Internet is disconnected. If you are flying to a new country, you may benefit from an eSIM data plan this technology connects your device to local cell towers with no roaming charges. Order your eSIM before departure so you will be connected not only on board but also when you arrive.

Prepare in advance by browsing all the available connection features. Compare pricing here and track discounts on airlines' official websites. With a reliable connection, your journey will be stress-free and comfortable!

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