WIFI ON PLANES? WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW AND EXPECT
Insanely fast in-flight internet will soon be available for passengers in all classes
Do they have WiFi on planes? Short answer: Yes. Though seamless inflight internet is a neat technology, the answer is still not yet a straightforward ‘yes’.
Most airlines are now working feverishly to update their fleet and make onboard WiFi part of the standard offering for you and me.
If your flight is delayed, there is still no assurance that you will be able to finish your job, access the web, or grab the latest news once on board. But this won’t hold true indefinitely.
PASSENGER EXPERIENCE
Enter IATA, the industry group known as the International Air Travel Association, which has stressed on the importance of a positive passenger experience.
This includes pushing for highquality inflight connectivity that supports various digital services, such as streaming, real-time information, and e-commerce.
IATA is leading the development of global ‘common use’ standards and ensure interoperability among all stakeholders involved.
These standards allow airlines, airports, and ground handling agents to support the optimisation of passenger processes using shared technologies typically found at airports, but also at seaports, hotels, and train stations.
HOW WIFI WORKS ON PLANES
In general, there are two ways: Air-to-ground, and satellite WiFi. These are the two modes currently employed, depending on the airline and aircraft in question.
Cell towers are used in the air-toground route — just as the towers that connect your phone’s internet when you’re on the ground. These towers give WiFi connectivity to planes flying above by sending signals into the sky.
The other approach, using satellites, is where a huge party is unfolding. When a satellite transmits a signal, an antenna placed on top of the plane picks it up for the passengers. This tech is still quite new, but a number of airlines are already using it.
■ How can I use the in-flight WiFi? Normally, your airline will give you all the details you require regarding this service. Upon booking your ticket, they may inform you, or after you take your seat in the plane.
To access the service and verify your identity, you might need to input your ticket number or other information. You could also need to pay for it.
In most cases, connecting to inflight Wi-Fi is the same as connecting to any other type of public Wi-Fi service; all you have to do is turn on your device’s Wi-Fi, select the appropriate hotspot, and click on it to connect.
■ Can I use WiFi in ‘airplane mode’?
No. Activating ‘airplane mode’ on your phone or tablet cuts off all data connections. Until you deactivate it, internet access won’t be possible.
■ Can I use streaming apps?
It depends. Some in-flight WiFi services are good enough to stream videos and use various online services, but many of them are quite slow and weak, at the moment.
STREAMING, VIDEO CALLS, GAMING AT ANY ALTITUDE
In the not-too-distant future high speed in-flight WiFi for streaming, video calls, gaming and more at any altitude will be a reality. There’s do doubt in-flight internet will transform aviation, enhance the overall passenger experience and enable new possibilities (including onboard e-commerce) for airlines and travellers alike.