Inflight WiFi and how it works

What Is In-Flight WiFi?

In-flight WiFi is a wireless internet service that allows passengers to connect their devices to the internet while flying at cruising altitude (30,000-40,000 feet above ground).

Thanks to in-flight WiFi air travellers can join video conferences, respond to urgent emails, access cloud-based documents, stream their favorite shows on Netflix or YouTube, scroll through social media feeds to share real-time travel updates, video chat with family members back home, or catch up on the latest news and sports scores.

How Does In-Flight WiFi Work?

For in-flight WiFi to be possible, data packets must somehow travel between your device in the clouds and the internet servers on the ground.

When you connect to WiFi on board, your device first communicates with the aircraft's onboard wireless access point, similar to your home router. From there, the airplane's system takes over and either communicates with cellular towers on the ground below or satellites above.

There are several companies that specialize in helping airlines implement in-flight WiFi. The biggest players include:

• Gogo Business Aviation (the dominant provider in North America)
• Viasat (known for high-speed Ka-band satellite connectivity)
• Panasonic Avionics (global provider using Ku-band satellites)
• Intelsat (satellite operator providing backbone connectivity)
• Thales InFlyt Experience (European provider offering connectivity solutions worldwide)

Many major airlines have partnered with these and other providers to offer reliable WiFi on board services, including JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Emirates, and Lufthansa.

Satellite-Based Systems

Satellite technology has revolutionized in-flight WiFi by providing coverage anywhere on Earth. Airplanes that use this technology have antennas mounted on top. Such antennas are typically housed in distinctive dome-shaped radomes to maintain connection with satellites orbiting Earth. The satellites then relay data to ground stations connected to the internet backbone.

Different satellite technologies offer varying performance levels:

• Ku-band operates on established frequencies with hundreds of satellites in orbit. Providers like Gogo 2Ku, Panasonic Avionics, and Intelsat use this technology to deliver speeds of 30-50 Mbps per aircraft. While reliable and widely available, Ku-band can experience slower speeds during peak usage times and weather-related interference.
• Next-generation Ka-band satellites operate at higher frequencies to enable significantly more data throughput. Viasat's Ka-band network powers JetBlue's free Fly-Fi service and delivers speeds of 100+ Mbps per aircraft, which is fast enough for passengers to stream HD video and conduct video calls. The latest ViaSat-3 constellation provides near-global coverage with just three high-capacity satellites, each capable of delivering over 1 Terabit per second of total network capacity.
• SpaceX's Starlink represents the newest evolution in WiFi on board technology. Unlike traditional satellites orbiting at 35,000 km above Earth, Starlink's constellation operates at just 550 km altitude. This proximity dramatically reduces latency from 600ms to under 20ms, matching ground-based internet performance. With over 8,000 satellites already deployed, Starlink promises consistent speeds of 100-200 Mbps with coverage extending to polar routes previously underserved by traditional satellites. Hawaiian Airlines, JSX, and Qatar Airways have begun fleet-wide deployments, with many more airlines signing agreements for future installation.
• Many modern aircraft employ hybrid systems that can switch between different satellite bands or combine satellite with ATG networks. This flexibility delivers the best possible connection regardless of location. For example, Gogo's 2Ku system uses dual Ku-band antennas that can simultaneously connect to multiple satellites, while some aircraft can automatically switch between Ku-band and Ka-band depending on availability and network congestion.

The choice between air-to-ground and satellite systems (or a combination of both) ultimately depends on an airline's routes, passenger expectations, and budget considerations. What is certain, however, is that in-flight WiFi continues to advance and become more accessible.

What's the Average Cost of In-Flight Wi-Fi?

On average, domestic flights charge between $8-10 for WiFi access, while international routes can cost up to $35 depending on flight duration and destination.

Here's an overview of current WiFi pricing across major US airlines:

The cost of in-flight WiFi varies so much because some airlines are using newer satellite technology like Starlink, which can offer speeds up to 250 Mbps, while other airlines still rely on older systems that provide just 3-10 Mbps.

International flights typically cost more due to satellite coverage requirements over oceans. For example, American Airlines charges up to $35 for trans-Atlantic flights compared to $10-24 for domestic routes.

The good news is that most major US carriers will offer free WiFi to loyalty program members by the end of 2025. Additionally, there are premium credit cards like the Southwest Performance Business Card that offer WiFi credits that effectively make the service free for cardholders.