In this practical tip, you can find out which airlines offer their passengers internet access via WLAN on the plane. This means you can also surf the internet above the clouds. This service is particularly interesting for business travellers who want to make active use of their flight time.
Internet via WLAN on the plane – These rules apply with the Arlines
For some people, having to be offline for a few hours on the plane is a real challenge. Business travellers in particular want to use the flight time to prepare for the next business meeting. Some holidaymakers also welcome the opportunity to search for information about their holiday destination on the internet during the flight. For this reason, many airlines nowadays offer the possibility of a WLAN service, especially on long-haul flights.
- Since the end of 2013, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has in principle allowed the use of all mobile devices in offline mode on flights.
- However, airlines are free to decide whether they allow surfing above the clouds or not. However, there are now many airlines (e.g. Lufthansa, Swiss, Iberia, SAS, etc.) that offer a WLAN service on board so that passengers can use their laptop or mobile phone on the plane.
- Most airlines require passengers to pay for Wi-Fi use. There are usually several tariff packages to choose from, which differ in terms of data volume or time availability.
- A few airlines are an exception. For example, Quantas, Norwegian Air Shuttle and Air New Zealand include Wi-Fi on some routes and on some aircraft. Find out before you travel if your flight is included.
- Deutsche Telekom offers mobile phone business customers the opportunity to surf the Internet free of charge during a European short-haul flight with Lufthansa with an “Inflight Europa Flat”. However, you have to book this service at least 24 hours before departure.
WLAN on the plane – With these airlines you can surf on the go
You can also surf the internet above the clouds with the airlines listed below. However, you should always check the respective cost situation for the “On Board Wifi” before departure. The charges can change at short notice with every airline.
- British Airways: In recent years, the airline has greatly increased the amount of wifi available on its planes. For example, passengers can now buy a browser and streaming package on most flights. The costs vary depending on the route and scope.
- Emirates: The entire fleet of the Arab airline is equipped with Wi-Fi, but this is not always available depending on the route. The airline offers the Wi-Fi service free of charge to Emirates Skywards members. Other passengers can buy different Wi-Fi packages. Prices vary depending on the route.
- Lufthansa: You can tell whether WLAN is available on your Lufthansa flight by the FlyNet® sign in the cabin. You can choose between three tariffs, the cost of which ranges from EUR 5 to EUR 25. Payment with collected miles is also possible.
- Norwegian: On almost all Norwegian flights you get free wifi if it is possible on the route. Only on the Boeing 737 MAX 8 is wifi not available.
- Turkish Airlines: Business Class passengers and members of the “Miles & Smiles” bonus programme have free access to the WLAN. All other passengers can choose between five Wi-Fi packages, the cost of which (between USD 2.99 and USD 24.99) varies according to data volume.
- United Airlines: You can now use Wi-Fi on almost all United flights. Prices vary by flight.
- Budget airlines: RyanAir, Vueling, easyJet and Co. do not offer Wi-Fi.
