If you wan to work, send an email, scroll social media, or stream a video during a flighty you might be asking, if you can use Internet on a plane?
The short answer is yes.
You can use the internet on many airplanes, as most airlines that have modern commercial aircraft provide internet access sometimes for a fee, and you can check in your specific route before booking your flight.
In some airlines you can either pay per hour, per flight, or get a subscription plan if you are a frequent traveler.
Note that the FAA and most airlines require that your devices must remain in airplane mode, during take off and landing.
This post covers everything you need to know about using internet and Wi-Fi on planes.
Let’s dive right in.
TL;DR
- You can use the Internet on most airplanes through onboard Wi-Fi.
- The FAA requires phones to be in airplane mode, so cellular data cannot be used.
- Wi-Fi is allowed if the airline provides it.
- Some airlines, like JetBlue, Delta, and Emirates, offer free or low-cost Wi-Fi.
- You can browse, email, and message while flying.
- Streaming or downloading large files may be slow.
Can You Use Data On A Plane?
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regulates the U.S. aviation industry to ensure that airplanes and passengers fly safely. They have announced that phones must be in airplane mode on all flights.
All passengers have to disable cellular technology during flights, including cellular data whether in the U.S., the UK, or any other part of the world.
Cell phones can be used, but not for voice communications or cellular connections.
But why!!
Cell phones can transmit powerful signals to cover long distances, and when you are on a phone call using cellular data, you can interfere with the airline’s frequencies and with cell towers on the ground. That interference can prevent the airplane crew from receiving data properly.
That’s why most airlines allow you to use Wi-Fi on their planes. According to the FAA, you can use your device in airplane mode or with the cellular connection disabled.
You can use a Wi-Fi connection on your device if the plane has an installed Wi-Fi system and the airline allows its use.
How To Use Wi-Fi On An Airplane To Connect To The Internet
The easiest way to use the Internet on a plane is by connecting to the Wi-Fi.
Simply enable Wi-Fi on your device, log in to the airline’s website or app, and start browsing the Internet — though some airlines’ Wi-Fi speeds are better than others.
The table below shows the airlines that have Wi-Fi on their aircraft.
U.S airlines
| Airlines | Crafts | Price |
|---|---|---|
| American airlines | In domestic flights Wi-Fi is now available on nearly all U.S. flights. International Wi-Fi is available on all Boeing 777-300ER flights. | Wi-Fi is available on almost all routes for as little as $10.If you are a frequent traveler, you can join the American Airlines Wi-Fi Subscription Plan for $49.95 for a monthly plan or $59.95 for a 2-device monthly plan. |
| United Airlines | All mainline aircraft in the United fleet are equipped with Wi-Fi, except for those that operate to and from Guam. All regional two-cabin aircraft are also equipped with Wi-Fi. | Wi-Fi access plans cost $10 on domestic flights, or $8 on regional flights or for MileagePlus members. Pricing may vary on international flights. |
| Delta Airlines | Three different Delta fleet types are being installed with Viasat in 2021 for a total of 313 aircraft. | Delta provides subscriptions for a Monthly Domestic Plan and a Monthly Global Plan. But you can Message for free using your smartphone with iMessage, Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp. |
| Jetblue | All JetBlue operated flights have coverage over the contiguous U.S. Jetblue recently restyled Airbus A320 and A321neo aircraft offer expanded coverage over much of the Caribbean and Central America. Jetblue Airbus A321 Long Range aircraft offers expanded coverage to/from London. | JetBlue offers free, high-speed Wi-Fi at every seat, and on every plane. |
| Alaska Airlines | The majority of our fleet – including all Airbus aircraft – now feature streaming-fast satellite Wi-Fi | For $16, travelers can buy 24 hours of continuous Wi-Fi access on any Alaska Airlines plane with Gogo. For $36, travelers can buy a bundle of six passes for 45 minutes of continuous Wi-Fi access (where available) each, good for 60 days after purchase. |
| Southwest Airlines | the entire fleet | Satellite-based gate-to-gate Internet connectivity is available for $8 all day, per device. (Free for southwest A-List Preferred Members!) |
| Virgin America | the entire fleet | 30-minute session $2; Gogo Unlimited $49.95/month (unlimited internet on all Gogo equipped airlines); Gogo All Day Pass $14 (24 hours of internet access on the same airline); 1-Hour Pass $5 (internet access on any single domestic Gogo equipped flight); The Traveler Pass $39.95 (monthly subscription for unlimited internet on one Gogo equipped airline) |
You can find more about other airlines here.
How To Get Internet On A Plane Without Wi-Fi
Since you can’t use cellular data on planes, the only way to browse the Internet is by connecting to the airline’s Wi-Fi.
If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or don’t want to pay for it, most airlines offer free social media access and messaging.
For example, Delta Airlines allows you to connect to Delta Wi-Fi to book, change, or check the status of your flight on delta.com, all without purchasing a Wi-Fi pass.
You can also message for free from your smartphone via iMessage, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp.
Can You Email On A Plane?
If you are connected to your airline’s Wi-Fi, you can email, text, and tweet normally without any issues. If you purchase your airline’s Wi-Fi, there are no limits to what you can do online.
You can do almost everything you normally do when connected to the Internet — including sending emails, making calls, and even watching movies.
Final Thoughts
You can use the Internet on a plane, but not with your phone’s cellular data. The FAA and most airlines do not allow using cellular data on their flights. However, you can use Wi-Fi provided by the airlines to browse the Internet, send emails, and catch up on social media.
Chances are high that there is ongoing work to find solutions to allow cellular data to be used on planes, as most airlines’ Wi-Fi connections are slow and don’t always provide the best experience for passengers.
I hope this helps
Happy travels
How does airplane Wi-Fi work?
Airplane Wi-Fi works in two ways. The first is through an air-to-ground internet connection, where the airplane communicates with cell towers on the ground, mostly used for domestic flights. The second method is satellite-based Wi-Fi, which connects the airplane to satellites, allowing connectivity even over oceans or remote areas.
How much does Wi-Fi cost on flights?
The cost of Wi-Fi depends on your airline and flight. For example, JetBlue offers free Wi-Fi on all flights, while Delta provides free Wi-Fi to SkyMiles members. American Airlines and United usually charge $8–$10 per flight, and Southwest charges $8 per day. Some airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways offer free Wi-Fi for loyalty members.
Do international flights have Wi-Fi?
Yes, most international flights today offer Wi-Fi, especially long-haul ones. The connection is usually satellite-based to ensure service over oceans and across continents. Airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines are known for providing reliable internet during international flights.
What is the speed of airplane Wi-Fi?
Airplane Wi-Fi speeds vary by provider and aircraft, but generally range from 1 to 20 Mbps. This is enough for browsing, emailing, and messaging, though streaming high-quality video or downloading large files may be difficult.
Is it necessary to check for Wi-Fi before flying?
It’s a good idea to check your airline’s website or app before your flight to see if Wi-Fi is available and whether it’s free or paid. You can also find out if the airline offers free messaging or in-flight entertainment options.
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