Is it worth getting Wi-Fi on a plane?

Many airlines offer free messaging (without paying for in-flight Wi-Fi) if you use a messaging app like iMessage or WhatsApp, as well as free movies, TV shows and music. However, having in-flight Wi-Fi will give you access to more websites than what's available complimentary to passengers.



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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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The Best Options for Internet Access when Traveling
  1. Use Your Mobile Provider. ...
  2. Buy a SIM Card for your trip. ...
  3. Use a Mobile Hotspot. ...
  4. Use a specialist roaming SIM. ...
  5. Consider Satellite Internet. ...
  6. Just use WiFi for Internet Access.


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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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To provide Wi-Fi, planes need to have a satellite antenna, a network modem, and a number of wireless access points around the interior, says Jeff Sare, vice president of in-flight connectivity solutions at Panasonic Avionics Corporation. And all that hardware has to be maintained in addition to installed.

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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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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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The three best airlines based on the in-flight experience are JetBlue, Delta and Southwest, according to NerdWallet analysis. And while our top three picks offer Wi-Fi, it's free only with our winner: JetBlue.

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Here are all the major airlines that currently offer free WiFi on most flights:
  1. JetBlue. JetBlue was the first U.S. airline to start offering free WiFi to all passengers through their Fly-Fi service in 2013. ...
  2. Delta Air Lines. ...
  3. Singapore Airlines. ...
  4. Qatar Airways. ...
  5. Norwegian Airlines.


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JetBlue. 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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Delta and Virgin America tied for the fastest in-flight Wi-Fi at speeds up to 15 Mbps. If you're simply looking for the fastest in-flight Wi-Fi, go for Delta or Virgin America. However, while both these airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi up to 15 Mbps, they vary in price enormously.

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As of Feb. 1, 2023, Delta offers free Wi-Fi on most domestic flights. By the end of 2023, free Wi-Fi will be available on more than 700 Delta aircraft. On aircraft without free Wi-Fi, Delta Wi-Fi costs $7 for a one-hour pass from Intelsat.

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Put your device into airplane mode before takeoff. Open the Netflix app and select the downloaded content you want to watch. Enjoy your movie or show without the need for an internet connection!

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For the moment, the range of activities is still pretty limited. You can use your personal electronics — music players, tablets, e-readers and so on — during all phases of flight, but that comes with several caveats.

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