Can You Use Internet On a Plane? Yes, Here's How

Yes, many airlines now offer in-flight Wi-Fi, which you can pay to connect to while on Airplane Mode. These connections are provided either through air-to-ground (ATG) antennas or via satellite technology.

There's also a third option: some airlines partner with telecom companies, which you can access by turning OFF Airplane Mode and using your phone's roaming capability.

eSIMs that offer in-flight internet, like those from GigSky, are highly worth considering if they're cheaper than your airline’s Wi-Fi package or if your airline doesn’t have Wi-Fi facilities.

Do Airplanes Have Wifi?

Yes, airplanes do have wifi. Offering internet on board started in the 2000s and has become common practice among major airlines. While you'll often need to pay for access, some airlines offer limited free Wi-Fi to passengers in business or first class, or to members of their frequent flyer programs.

Here's how it works:

Antenna-Based Wi-Fi (ATG)

Air-to-ground (ATG) Wi-Fi is one primary method of delivering internet on planes. The system relies on antennas installed on the aircraft that communicate with cell towers on the ground. As the airplane moves, these connections are handed off from tower to tower, similar to a mobile phone's handoff among cellular towers.

However, ATG Wi-Fi has limitations, including slower speeds ranging from 5 to 15 Mbps and potential connectivity drops in remote areas like deserts or oceans where ground towers aren’t available.

Satellite-Based Wi-Fi

The more advanced option is satellite-based Wi-Fi. This system uses antennas on the aircraft to connect to satellites orbiting the Earth, providing higher speeds and more reliable connections even over oceans and remote areas. While satellite Wi-Fi generally costs more, it offers a more consistent in-flight internet experience.

Roaming with Airplane Mode Off

A third method to get internet on a plane is by roaming with airplane mode off, but this is only possible if your cell carrier can provide service at cruising altitude. Typically, if you turn off airplane mode, you'll find that you simply get no signal. However, as we'll see later in this article, eSIM companies like GigSky can enable your phone to connect to ground networks.

When you take your mobile phone out of airplane mode, its signal is relayed from the aircraft antenna via satellite to the ground network, providing you with internet access.

How to Get Internet on a Plane

A few airlines, such as Delta or Singapore Airlines, offer limited complimentary Wi-Fi to members of their frequent flyer programs. Free Wi-Fi is typically restricted to the first hour or a minimal data allowance.

For extensive use, you can expect airlines to charge upwards of $8 to $25 to text, access the internet, and stream video. Plans will vary by speed, data allowances, and flight duration:

List of Airlines Offering In-Flight Internet

To give you a sense of how much it costs to get internet on a plane per device, we've listed details of packages offered by the largest and most connected airlines in the world:

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines offers free Wi-Fi onboard most of its aircraft if you sign up to become a SkyMiles member. If you don't want to sign up, then you can pay for a Wi-Fi Flight Pass instead.

• Wi-Fi Flight Pass: $7 for 1 hour

American Airlines

American Airlines has Wi-Fi on most domestic flights and flights to Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean for $10 to $14 per day. Costs will vary per flight. You can also opt to pay for a subscription if you are a frequent flyer.

• All-Day Day: $10 to $14
• Monthly Subscription: $49.95
• 2-Device Monthly Subscription: $59.95

United Airlines

United offers paid Wi-Fi on domestic flights and short-haul flights to Canada and Mexico. For international long-haul flights, costs will vary and be more expensive.

For MileagePlus Members: $8, or redeem 800 miles

For Non-Members: $10

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines gives free access to Wi-Fi for their A-List Preferred Members and Business Select Customers, and paid Wi-Fi from takeoff to landing for other customers:

• Inflight Internet: $8

British Airways

British Airways has two internet packages available: a Messaging package for texting and a Browse & Stream package for full access. The Messaging package is free for Executive Club members, which you can sign up to for free. The Browse & Stream package is free for First Class passengers.

• Short Haul Messaging Package: £1.99 - £2.99
• Long Haul Messaging Package: £2.99 - £4.99
• Short Haul Browse & Stream Package: £4.99 - £11.99
• Long Haul Browse & Stream Package: £4.99 - £21.99

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways offers paid "Super Wi-Fi" for a flat fee on their aircraft that have Wi-Fi capabilities.

• Purchase at Check-In Online: $8
• Purchase During Your Flight: $10

Air Canada

Air Canada offers Wi-Fi across their domestic fleet, and flights across North America where coverage is available (their network covers all of the US, the north of Mexico, and most of Canada south of the northwest territories). Aeroplan Members can access texting onboard for free.

• 1-Hour Pass: $6.50 CAD
• 1-Way Pass: $21 CAD
• Monthly Plan: $65.95 CAD

Ryanair

Ryanair currently does not offer Wi-Fi on their flights.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa has a FlyNet Messaging for messaging only with 150 kBit/s speeds and a FlyNet Premium package for browsing with 4 MBit/s speeds. If you're a Miles & More member (which is free to sign up), then you'll have access to FlyNet Messaging for free.

FlyNet Messaging: €3, or redeem 1,000 miles

FlyNet Premium for flights up to 90 minutes: €6, or redeem 2,000 miles

FlyNet Premium for flights more than 90 minutes: €8, or redeem 2,600 miles

Air France

Air France has three tiers of Wi-Fi on board. First is their free Message pass, which allows all passengers to send and receive texts. Next is their Surf pass, which you can use to browse the internet and send emails. If you want full streaming and downloading capabilities, then you can purchase their Stream pass.

• Short Haul Surf Pass: €3
• Medium Haul Surf Pass: €5
• Long Haul Surf Pass: €8 for 1 hour, or €18 for the full flight
• Stream Pass: €30

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines offers complimentary Wi-Fi to first class and business class passengers and any KrisFlyer member. You can sign up to KrisFlyer for free. However, this complimentary Wi-Fi does not support streaming. For full internet access, you'll need to pay for a Surf Plan.

• 1 Hour: $3.99
• 3 Hours: $8.99
• Full Flight: $15.99

ANA

ANA All Nippon Airways has complimentary Wi-Fi service on domestic Japanese flights for all passengers. For international flights, they have paid tiers for unlimited data.

• 30 Minutes: $6.95
• 3 Hours: $14.40
• Full Flight: $18.80

IndiGo

IndiGo currently does not offer Wi-Fi on their flights.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines provides unlimited messaging to Miles & Smiles members. As your membership status increases, your data quota will go up to 250 MB, 400 MB, and 1 GB. For free unlimited data, you need to be a business class passenger, Miles & Smiles Elite member, or an Elite Plus member. Otherwise, you can access internet with their paid passes.

• Unlimited Messaging: $5
• 100 MB: $8
• 250 MB: $15
• Unlimited Internet For Short Haul: $15
• Unlimited Internet For Long Haul: $35

Air China

Air China has four packages for inflight internet for all passengers.

• 15 MB: $3.25
• 1 Hour: $11.95
• 3 Hours: $16.95
• 24 Hours: $21.95

GigSky Inflight eSIM

GigSky is an eSIM provider that partners with AeroMobile, a satellite network that provide robust and reliable in-flight connectivity. If you have an eSIM compatible smarphone, then you'll be able to easily install and active a Gigsky eSIM.

This nifty tool will allow your smartphone to roam at inflight and connect to AeroMobile to get data. You can top up as needed with Gigsky's app.

• Inflight Plan: 100 MB for $13.99 (valid for 1 day)

Here's How GigSky's Inflight eSIM Works

When you take your smartphone out of airplane mode, the signal will be relayed from the aircraft antenna via satellite to the AeroMobile ground network. Your SIM card’s unique number will confirm that you have a roaming agreement with AeroMobile. Once confirmed, you'll access email, browse, text, and make calls as you would on the ground.

1. Download the GigSky App: Prior to takeoff, download the GigSky app and purchase an Inflight plan.
2. Switch Settings: At cruising altitude, switch on the GigSky plan in your Settings > Cellular menu.
3. Stay Connected: Enjoy chatting, emailing, streaming, and topping up as needed during your flight!

Compatible Airlines

To ensure the best experience, use the latest version of the operating system, and make sure your device is not locked by your current carrier. GigSky is compatible with:

• Aer Lingus
• Alitalia
• Asiana Airlines
• Biman Bangladesh Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Egypt Air
• Emirates
• Etihad Airways
• EVA Air
• Kuwait Airways
• Lufthansa
• Malaysia Airlines
• SAS Scandinavian Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Swiss International Airlines
• TAP Air Portugal
• Turkish Airlines
• Uzbekistan Airways
• Virgin Atlantic