I tested Wi-Fi on a New York to Delhi Air India flight: Here’s my experience

How does in-flight Wi-fi work?

A leaflet explaining how to connect to in-flight Wi-Fi. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)

As a tech journalist (more than just a frequent traveller), I have always had one question in mind: how does the internet work 36,000 feet above the ground? In fact, I bet many people still don’t know that you can get Wi-Fi on a plane, and on some airlines, it’s even free. That’s why I recommend travellers check whether the airline offers Wi-Fi service—paid or free—before booking their next flight. Anyway, the availability of the internet on a plane depends on the airline, your travel route, and the aircraft model.

In-flight internet is not a new concept. In fact, it has existed for nearly two decades. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing first announced the service, dubbed Connexion, way back in April 2000 and debuted it on a Munich-to-Los Angeles Lufthansa flight in 2004. However, Boeing discontinued the service in 2006, as the market was not ready at the time. With the rise in smartphone popularity and significant technological advancements, constant efforts by satellite providers and airlines have helped the technology evolve considerably over the past decade. However, in-flight Wi-Fi still fails to match the speeds available at home or in the office.

There are two ways airlines connect to Wi-Fi: ground-based and satellite-based systems. Air-to-ground (ATG) Wi-Fi works similarly to your smartphone. It relies heavily on an antenna located underneath the aircraft’s body, which catches signals from cell towers on the ground. This essentially turns the aircraft into a hotspot. As the plane travels, it connects to the nearest transmitter, allowing passengers to access the internet thousands of feet in the air.

The cabin of Air India’s new A350-900 flight. (Image credit: Air India)

However, a major disadvantage of air-to-ground technology is that it doesn’t work effectively when the plane is flying over large bodies of water, rural areas, or deserts. This is why airlines are increasingly adopting satellite-based connections, which are more reliable than air-to-ground systems. Satellite-based Wi-Fi provides uninterrupted internet connectivity throughout the entire flight.

Intelsat, a leading US-based satellite communications company, operates a network of over 50 satellites serving major airlines such as American, Delta, and United, among others. Viasat is another major satellite communications provider, used by several airlines around the world, with its own network of satellites that provide high-speed connectivity.

Starlink, the satellite internet service run by billionaire Elon Musk’s company SpaceX, is also eyeing this space. Earlier this year, Hawaiian Airlines began offering free, high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi on many of its flights. It uses Starlink’s network of low-orbit satellites to provide low-latency connectivity during flights. United will also test Starlink’s fast Wi-Fi service in early 2025, with the first passenger flights expected later next year. Qatar, too, has partnered with Starlink for high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity.

Air India offers free Wi-Fi on select international routes (for now)

Once boarding was completed and the flight was ready to take off, I heard the announcement that the aircraft was Wi-Fi-ready. The process involved turning your device’s Airplane mode on, then finding the in-flight Wi-Fi in the Wi-Fi settings or through a web browser. After adding your email, PNR, and last name, I was connected to the internet in seconds.

The in-flight Wi-Fi on Air India is basic, to say the least. I was able to use WhatsApp throughout the flight and could receive emails. However, Google search and regular web browsing were unavailable. Surprisingly, WhatsApp calling was still functional (I think Air India has yet to block it). There were times when the Wi-Fi connection wasn’t strong, but I was mostly impressed with the speed and connectivity.

I believe Air India is still beta testing in-flight Wi-Fi, which is why it’s not charging for the service. The good thing is that the airline offers free, complimentary Wi-Fi on select international routes across both business and economy classes. Perhaps, in the future, Air India may plan to charge passengers for in-flight Wi-Fi and introduce a premium tier, as many international airlines do. However, right now, inflight Wifi is free of charge for customers.

I remember when I was on a flight from New Jersey to Delhi a few months ago, I was able to use free Wi-Fi throughout the flight, as long as I was a MileagePlus member. However, not all airlines offer free in-flight Wi-Fi. For example, Emirates offers complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi to Skywards Platinum members only. Qatar, meanwhile, charges $10 for Wi-Fi for the entire flight, but if you are a Privilege Club member, you get one hour of complimentary high-speed internet on board.

Inflight connectivity is a big opportunity for airlines

Major airlines want to cash in on inflight connectivity. (Image credit: Air India)

In-flight internet is a billion-dollar opportunity for airlines and satellite service providers. In fact, the in-flight entertainment and connectivity market is estimated to be around $5 billion and is projected to grow to more than $12 billion by 2030, according to research firm Verified Market Research. Major airlines are offering in-flight Wi-Fi to passengers, and while they allow certain messaging apps for free, the real money is made by offering access to full internet in the skies for a premium. Experts say airlines are targeting first-class and business travellers as a way to sell premium in-flight entertainment subscriptions for those who want high-speed connectivity and on-demand entertainment mid-air. Business travellers and high-flying first-class customers understand and appreciate the benefits of speedy in-flight internet.