Can you get Wi-Fi on an international flight?

International Wi-Fi is available on all Boeing 777-300ER flights. Wi-Fi can be purchased once on board; currently there is not a pre-purchase option for international Wi-Fi. Please visit aa.com/wifi to receive the most up-to-date information on pricing and specials for both domestic and international inflight Wi-Fi.



In 2026, getting Wi-Fi on an international flight is more common than ever, but the quality and cost vary wildly depending on the airline and the specific aircraft. Most long-haul carriers, such as Delta, United, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, have equipped their wide-body fleets (like the A350 and 787) with satellite-based internet. Many airlines have moved toward a "Free Messaging" model, where you can use WhatsApp or iMessage for free, while charging a premium for "Streaming" or "Full Access" packages that range from $15 to $30 for the duration of the flight. Some airlines, like JetBlue and increasingly Delta (for SkyMiles members), are making high-speed Wi-Fi completely free for all passengers. However, be aware of "dead zones"—satellite coverage can still be spotty when flying over the extreme North Pole or certain parts of the southern oceans. Additionally, older aircraft in a fleet may not have been retrofitted yet. It is always recommended to check your specific flight's amenities on the airline's app 24 hours before departure to see what level of connectivity will be available at 35,000 feet.

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Wi-Fi may be purchased prior to your flight by visiting aa.com/wifi or you may purchase once on board. International Wi-Fi is available on all Boeing 777-300ER flights. Wi-Fi can be purchased once on board; currently there is not a pre-purchase option for international Wi-Fi.

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You'll need to check your flight status to see if Wi-Fi comes included with your trip -- if it is, you'll be able to pay a fee to connect and browse the web, check emails and send messages, or stream video from services like Netflix, Hulu and HBO Max.

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JetBlue bills itself as the only major airline to offer, free, high-speed Wi-Fi at every seat, on every plane. The in-flight satellite service is provided by Viasat, and passengers can use it to browse the web, send messages and emails or stream video.

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The amount of data that any given individual uses keeps going up. Multiple airlines reported that passengers will connect to wifi from two, or even three devices during a flight. A single streamer uses the bandwidth of ten non-streamers. And all of this increases the costs to airlines for offering wifi.

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Usually Wi-Fi can be purchased prior to your flight or while on-board, and is limited to a single device. Similar to personal televisions in the seat back, Wi-Fi is often disabled during takeoff and landing to ensure passenger focus and safety. But in-flight Wi-Fi is also often tiered.

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Airplane Wi-Fi can work over the ocean, but the plane has to use a different method than the one used over land. Over large bodies of water, a plane will connect to satellites that in turn connect to ground stations. You may notice slight delays when using Wi-Fi while traveling over the ocean.

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You can't make phone calls on a plane using cellular service, as using cellular service for any reason isn't permitted. WiFi calls may be allowed, though that's at the discretion of the airline, as it impacts passenger comfort.

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Your strategy depends on which airline you're flying. A few airlines provide free Wi-Fi to all passengers. Some airlines have credit card partnerships that will reimburse Wi-Fi purchases. Other airlines give elite members free in-flight Wi-Fi, while some airlines provide free Wi-Fi to premium cabin passengers.

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It doesn't provide coverage over the vast oceans that cover 70% of our planet. What this means is that passengers flying internationally often still need to use satellites to connect to the Internet. The good news here is that as technology has gotten better and so have the satellites.

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World's Best Inflight Internet Service Provider 2021
  • Global Eagle.
  • Gogo.
  • Panasonic Avionics.
  • Viasat.


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Aircraft Specs The larger planes used on these long-haul flights might have an inch or two more leg room, but the seat width usually remains the standard 17 or 18 inches. SeatGuru.com provides information on whether your airline uses planes with more legroom for international flights.

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Can I text on an airplane? Yes, but only using a Wi-Fi connection. The ban on using a cellular connection means passengers can't send SMS texts. Any communication has to be over Wi-Fi with a messaging app that provides similar functionality like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Viber.

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According to Smarter Travel, by not turning your phone onto airplane mode, your phone will attempt to make connections with the cell towers around it. Forbes reported, “If you don't put your phone on airplane mode during a flight, your phone will probably annoy a few pilots and air traffic controllers.”

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If you're wondering if you can watch Netflix on a plane, the answer is yes – with the right setup. You can download movies and TV shows in advance to watch on your device without an internet connection. When flying, you should put your device in airplane mode and connect to the in-flight WiFi if it is available.

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According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Bluetooth headphones and other wireless devices are allowed during all phases of the flight, as long as they are in aeroplane mode. In general, you can use your trusty wireless Bluetooth headphones on planes. Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.

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