Posted on Aug 2, 2016
Updated on Apr 17, 2024
The content is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change.
This content is not provided by Citi. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the Citi.
Sometimes in-flight Wi-Fi is the bare necessity when you travel abroad or within the country. However, not all airlines offer free in-flight Wi-Fi. There is only a couple of airlines that will allow you to use the Wi-Fi internet for free, the others will ask you to pay for the service. So what can you do when you need to stay connected while onboard?
These airlines below give free Wi-Fi access to surf the web, get some work done, or simply catch up with your friends while you are onboard. However, free onboard internet is not available to everyone. In most cases, you have to be a member of the airline's frequent flyer program or be a business class passenger to enjoy free inflight Wi-Fi.
JetBlue is the only airline that offers free Wi-Fi at every seat and on every plane. The airline partners with Viasat to provide Internet service. All JetBlue-operated flights have coverage over the contiguous U.S. and the airline promises high-speed Wi-Fi.
Southwest Rapid Rewards members who reached the A-List Preferred status and Business Select Customers can use free inflight Wi-Fi during the whole flight. A-List members, other members of Southwest's Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program, and non-members will have to pay $8 for inflight Wi-Fi per device from takeoff to landing (texting with iMessage and WhatsApp is free).
Icelandair made Wi-Fi available to everyone on board of its airplanes. However, Wi-Fi access is not free for everyone. Thus, passengers flying Saga Premium and Saga Premium Flex receive complimentary Wi-Fi access for 2 devices. Icelandair Saga Gold frequent flyer members also get complimentary wireless internet for two devices.
Most Aer Lingus' A330 aircrafts have Wi-Fi (plus text and data) onboard, and all A321neoLR aircraft have Wi-Fi only. And all Aer Lingus flyers can get internet access starting at $3.99 for text messages only and at $24.99 for full internet access. Only Business Class customers and AerClub Concierge members can get Aer Lingus Wi-Fi for free.
Wi-Fi connection on Turkish Airlines flights is available on an increasing number of international and domestic flights. Business Class passengers with Miles&Smiles Elite or Elite Plus Membership get the benefit of free unlimited Internet. Paid passes start from $5 for unlimited messaging and to $35 for unlimited internet on long haul flights.
Emirates provides various onboard Wi-Fi plans for all passengers starting at $2.99. However, if you are an Emirates Skywards member, you can take advantage of free Wi-Fi services. Emirates Skywards members traveling in First Class or as a Platinum member in any travel class can enjoy free Wi-Fi internet for the whole flight.
Philippines Airlines offers myPAL Wi-Fi Hi-Speed internet on select international flights. All Mabuhay Miles members have access to complimentary Unli Chat plan. Business Class passengers and Mabuhay Miles Million Milers are provided with a promo code to enjoy the 100MB plan for free. Additional Wi-Fi plans start at $9.98.
As you can see, sometimes even being a member of a frequent flyer program doesn't give you access to free in-flight Wi-Fi. Most often, you should be a business class traveler or buy the service onboard.
Some credit cards offer credits, discounts or savings on in-flight Wi-Fi. A credit card that provides you with a credit or discount to purchase wireless internet access on an aircraft will allow you to stay connected every time you fly on an aircraft with Wi-Fi services. For example, one of the credit cards that will allow you to save on in-flight Wi-Fi is the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® credit card. This card will give you 25% savings on American Airlines in-flight Wi-Fi purchases without limitations or caps. The benefit is available on American Airlines-operated flights only. When you use this benefit, savings will appear as a statement credit in two or three weeks after the transaction.
our choice
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You can simply pay for Wi-Fi while on board. This option is good when you do not fly often and never fly business class. The option is not the cheapest one, so it will be worth researching. On-board Wi-Fi prices vary as well as Wi-Fi service providers. Here are some airlines, their prices and internet providers:
Sometimes you won't even be able to buy in-flight Wi-Fi simply because the service is not available. Yes, such airlines exist. For example, Frontier airlines do not offer in-flight Wi-Fi to their passengers. Some other airlines offer this service only on select aircrafts. So it is worth checking Wi-Fi availability beforehand to make sure you will stay connected during your flight. And if you want to save on Wi-Fi, go back to Option B to see your options.
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Read moreDisclaimer: This editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of the credit card issuer(s), and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer(s). Reasonable efforts are made to present accurate information, however all information is presented without warranty. Consult a card's issuing bank for the terms & conditions. All rates and fees, and other terms and conditions of the products mentioned in this article/post are actual as of the last update date but are subject to change. See the current products' Terms & Conditions on the issuing banks' websites.
