Do Planes Have WiFi?

Air travel in 2025 is wild. You're cruising at 35,000 feet while wondering if you can still upload that TikTok or reply to a WhatsApp message.

The miracle of human flight somehow isn't quite impressive enough anymore.

Now our focus is on whether we can stay online or get a little binge-watch in while travelling through the stratosphere.

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Do Planes Have Wi-Fi?

With this in mind, many of us regularly wonder, 'Do planes have Wi-Fi?'

The answer isn't straightforward and depends on the airline and aircraft.

But the short answer is yes - many planes have Wi-Fi nowadays.

So let's break down how in-flight Wi-Fi works, who offers it, what it costs and whether it's any good.

Plus, I've thrown in a few tips on smarter ways to access content while on the move. Such as pre-journey downloading and having an eSIM ready when you land.

So... Do Planes Actually Have Wi-Fi?

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Yes, many planes have Wi-Fi now, but not all of them.

It's a bit like expecting decent tea abroad. Sometimes you're pleasantly surprised, other times bitterly disappointed.

Which Airlines Offer In-flight Wi-Fi?

Most major airlines now offer some form of Wi-Fi, though coverage varies widely from plane to plane.

• British Airways - Wi-Fi is available on most long-haul British Airways flights and is currently being rolled out across the airline's short-haul flights.
• Emirates: - Nearly 100% of Emirates planes are equipped with Wi-Fi. Emirates Skywards members can access free Wi-Fi, with the level of access depending on their membership status and cabin class. Non-members can buy Wi-Fi on board.
• Qatar Airways - Complementary Wi-Fi is available on most Qatar Airways aircraft.
• Virgin Atlantic - Wi-Fi is available across Virgin Atlantic's entire fleet. Prices vary depending on the aircraft type and duration, so check before you go.
• EasyJet - Wi-Fi is currently only available on select aircraft. EasyJet Wi-Fi only allows passengers to access games, journey-specific content and airline information, plus inflight retail offerings. So, there is no access to search engines, email inboxes or messaging services.
• Jet2 and Ryanair - Both typically don't offer Wi-Fi on their flights.

Which Airlines Offer Free Messaging?

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Airlines have caught on that we're a nation of compulsive messengers.

With the exception of EasyJet, most of the above airlines let you send messages for free once you're connected to their Wi-Fi.

But the exact access terms can depend on your ticket, aircraft or whether you're a member of their frequent flyer programme.

Long-Haul vs Short-Haul Wi-Fi Differences

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Long-haul flights are far more likely to offer Wi-Fi than shorter trips. This makes perfect sense.

Most of us can manage a quick flight over to France without being glued to our phones.

The longer you're hanging out in a metal tube, however, the more likely you are to require internet access. 

With that being said, short-haul European flights are catching up, with Wi-Fi being rolled out by more airlines.

One day, it’s likely that most planes will have Wi-Fi - we're just not quite there yet.

How Does In-Flight Wi-Fi Even Work?

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Satellite-Based Connections vs. Air-To-Ground

There are two main systems keeping you connected above the clouds.

• Satellite-based systems work everywhere, including over oceans. These systems connect to satellites orbiting Earth, bouncing your texts from aircraft to space and back down to ground stations.
• Air-to-ground systems work like massive mobile networks, with the plane connecting to towers on the ground. These are generally faster. But they only work when you're flying over land. So you can say goodbye to your connection when crossing the Atlantic.

Why Airplane Wi-Fi Is Often Slow, Patchy or Restricted

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In-flight Wi-Fi can feel like you've time-travelled back to the dial-up days. This is because:

• Hundreds of passengers are competing for bandwidth through a single connection.
• That connection is travelling to and from space or distant ground towers.
• The plane is moving at 550/600mph, constantly switching between connection points.

It's less 'high-speed broadband' and more 'doing the best it can under difficult circumstances'.

Why You Sometimes Lose Signal When Flying Over Oceans

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Unless your aircraft uses satellite connectivity, you'll lose signal over large bodies of water.

No ground towers in the middle of the Atlantic means no connectivity. Just you and your thoughts for the next few hours.

This is where books, crosswords and good old-fashioned conversations come in useful.

What Can You Actually Do with Plane Wi-Fi?

What You Can Usually Do on Airplane Wi-Fi

• Check and send emails - Perfect for pretending to work while actually just writing to your pet sitter.
• Scroll social media - Although the loading time between posts might give you a chance for some overthinking.
• Use WhatsApp/Signal - Text messaging usually works fine, although that hilarious cat video is likely to time out.

What You Might Be Able to Do on Airplane Wi-Fi

• Stream Netflix - With better connections, you might manage some streaming. Although the quality might make you think you're watching through a frosted bathroom window. Better to download your shows before take-off.
• Video calls - Theoretically possible but practically unlikely, unless you enjoy conversations where you freeze on every third word.

What You Definitely Can't Do on Airplane Wi-Fi

• Online gaming - Forget about online gaming - unless losing spectacularly due to lag is your thing.
• Large file downloads - That 'urgent' work presentation will still be downloading when you land.
• High-definition anything - It's standard definition or nothing, folks.

How Much Does Airplane Wi-Fi Cost?

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Average W-Fi Prices By Airline

Generally speaking, Wi-Fi on planes can set you back anywhere from £2 to £25.

It all depends on the airline and the kind of Wi-Fi package you buy. Here are a few examples.

• British Airways - Messaging packages from £1.99 to £4.99. Streaming packages from £4.99 to £21.99.
• Emirates - Some routes offer free limited Wi-Fi, otherwise US$2.99 to $19.99, depending on the package.
• Qatar Airways - Free on aircraft with Starlink connectivity. Other packages are available from US$2 to $25.
• Virgin Atlantic - From £2.99 for messaging to £20.99 for full flight access.

Time-Based vs. Data-Based Pricing

Airlines generally offer two main pricing structures.

• Time-based W-Fi packages let you connect for a set period - usually an hour, three hours or the whole flight.
• Data-based Wi-Fi packages give you a specific data allowance, like 50MB or 150MB. These can disappear fast, especially if you do anything beyond basic browsing.

Is Airplane Wi-Fi Worth Paying For?

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That all depends on what you need it for. 

If you need to do critical work on the move, calm a worried relative or keep restless little ones occupied mid-flight, peace of mind is often priceless.

For general scrolling, watching The Office for the 50th time or work that can wait, probably not. But everyone's different, of course.

Is Airplane Wi-Fi Safe?

In terms of security, using airplane Wi-Fi is no different to the public Wi-Fi at your local café.

Basic Safety Tips When Using Airplane Wi-Fi

1. Avoid logging into banking apps
2. Use a VPN to create a secure connection
3. Stick to encrypted sites
4. Avoid sensitive work tasks mid-air

Tips for Staying Connected on Flights and On the Move

• Download your entertainment, save your documents and screenshot those important booking references. Your future self will thank you.
• Google Maps works offline if you download the area beforehand. Netflix, Spotify and Amazon Prime all offer download options. Your notes app doesn't need internet at all.
• Once in flight mode, you can manually activate Wi-Fi without enabling cellular data. This lets you connect to in-flight networks without accidentally racking up additional charges.
• There's nothing worse than landing after a long flight and joining the zombie-like queue for airport SIM cards. With an eSIM, you can have data ready the moment you land - no queues, no fuss, just instant connectivity.
• Airport and hotel Wi-Fi networks are often slow and not the most secure. Having your own connection via an eSIM means bypassing these digital grey areas.

Can You Use eSIMs for In-Flight Connectivity?

While eSIMs can't connect you during the flight (yet), they're brilliant for connecting the moment you land.

No more shock roaming charges or hunting for local SIM cards - your phone connects automatically when you touch down.

Why Travellers Activate eSIMs Before Take-Off

Travellers are increasingly setting up their eSIMs before flying.

Download and install an eSIM from Airalo before departure and you'll have data ready the moment you land in over 200 destinations worldwide - whether you're visiting Dublin or Dubai.

Stay Connected with eSIM from Airalo

If you're planning your next adventure and want to stay connected without the hassle of physical SIM cards, consider downloading an eSIM from Airalo.

With a wide range of plans, Airalo makes it easy to stay connected, no matter where you are.

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