Europe’s best airline to launch free, unlimited WiFi across all flights by next year
AN airline that flies to the most countries in the world has revealed plans for free WiFi for all passengers.
Turkish Airlines, named the best airline in Europe in this year’s 2024 Skytrax, has confirmed that not only will it be free, but it will also be unlimited.
All of the airline’s fleet will be equipped with the newest in-flight connectivity (IFC) tech by the end of 2025.
It said on social media: “Stay connected at 30,000 feet!
“In partnership with TCI Aircraft Interiors and Türksat, we will bring free and unlimited Wi-Fi to our entire fleet by the end of 2025.
“We’re integrating the latest in-flight connectivity tech to keep you online.”
The majority of airlines currently charge passengers to use the onboard WiFi, unless flying in business or first class.
For example, British Airways charges between £1.99 and £21.99, depending on the length of the flight and the size of the package.
It is only free for Executive passengers using the messaging-only service, or free for First Class passengers to add a browsing and streaming package too.
Virgin Atlantic‘s WiFi ranges from £2.99 and £20.99 depending on how long you want to use it, although some of the carriers offer a free 20 minute option.
Budget airlines like Ryanair currently don’t offer WiFi.
Other airlines that offer free WiFi including Turkish Airlines are JetBlue, Air New Zealand and China Eastern.
And American Airlines passengers on domestic flights can have 30 minutes of free WiFi, as long as they watch ads first.
Having WiFi on flights is often disputed, with some travellers saying they like to be able to switch off.
However, other travellers, especially business travellers who like to work on the plane, rave about the option.
If you aren’t using the plane WiFi, make sure you put your phone on airplane mode.
Some travellers have been caught out and charged hundreds of pounds by accident.
That’s because the phone connects to the plane’s in-flight network, which count as roaming charges.
According to the Financial Review, one passengers was left $300 (£245) out of pocket when he forgot to turn on flight mode during an Aer Lingus flight.
Another person on social media said they were charged £35 because their phone wasn’t on airplane mode, so connected had to pay the connection fee when flying over the country.
How to avoid roaming charges
To avoid getting a bill in the hundreds, here’s how to keep roaming charges to a minimum:
- Turn on airplane mode – airplane mode turns off all wireless connections, including your mobile data.
- Ensure that data roaming is turned off – some iPhone and Android devices have a specific setting where you can turn off data roaming
- Ask your mobile network to block data roaming – most networks will allow you to put a block on data roaming.
- Only use your data when you know you’re using free WiFi
- For those who want to use data roaming, many networks offer some kind of package designed to reduce costs.