Connectivity options at 35,000 feet
Staying connected and entertained at 35,000 feet has never been easier—or more confusing. With dozens of WiFi providers, varying speeds, and different entertainment systems, knowing what to expect before you board can save you frustration and money.
This guide breaks down in-flight WiFi options, compares entertainment systems by airline, reveals which carriers offer free connectivity, and provides insider tips to maximize your in-flight digital experience.
Even with WiFi, airplane internet can be slow or unreliable. Download movies, shows, music, podcasts, and offline maps before boarding. Netflix, Spotify, and Google Maps all support offline mode.
| Provider | Speed | Coverage | Streaming | Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink (SpaceX) | 100+ Mbps | Global | United (rolling out), Hawaiian Airlines, JSX | |
| Viasat | 25-50 Mbps | Global | JetBlue, American, United (some) | |
| Inmarsat GX | 15-30 Mbps | Global | Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa | |
| Gogo 2Ku | 15-25 Mbps | Global | Delta, American, Air Canada | |
| Gogo ATG | 3-10 Mbps | US/Canada only | Older US domestic planes |
* Speeds are approximate and vary by aircraft, route, and network congestion. Starlink offers the fastest speeds currently available.
Personal touchscreens with 50-300+ movies, TV shows, games, and flight maps. Common on long-haul and premium carriers.
Available On
Emirates, Singapore, Qatar, Delta, United
Stream content to your phone/tablet via the airline's app. No seatback screen needed. Bring your own device and headphones.
Available On
Southwest, Alaska, Qantas, Air New Zealand
Watch live news, sports, and TV channels at 35,000 feet. Available on select airlines with satellite connectivity.
Available On
JetBlue, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways
Premium cabins provide high-quality noise-canceling headphones. Economy gets basic earbuds. Bring your own for better sound.
Available On
Business/First class on most carriers
Charge devices in-flight with USB ports or AC outlets. Availability varies—long-haul and premium seats have more outlets.
Available On
Most modern aircraft, all premium cabins
If you’re flying with Delta Air Lines, staying connected during your flight is easier than it used to be. Delta has expanded its onboard WiFi significantly in recent years, including rolling out complimentary access on many domestic routes.
AaInflight transforms your flying experience into a cinematic journey. Enjoy endless entertainment from movies to music, all included in your ticket price!
Fasten your seatbelt—your next adventure just got a digital upgrade! Dive into the globe’s fastest mobile internet hotspots and stay connected wherever you roam.
Everything you need to know about in-flight WiFi and entertainment
Prices vary widely: $5-10 for messaging-only plans, $8-20 for browsing on domestic flights, $15-30 for full-flight international WiFi. Monthly passes cost $50-70 for frequent flyers. Some airlines (JetBlue, Norwegian, Turkish) offer free WiFi. Premium cabins often include complimentary WiFi. Speeds range from 3-15 Mbps for browsing to 25+ Mbps for streaming on newer aircraft.
It depends on the aircraft and WiFi system. Newer planes with satellite WiFi (Viasat, Starlink) support streaming at 25-100 Mbps. Older air-to-ground systems are too slow (3-10 Mbps) for reliable streaming. Some airlines block streaming services to preserve bandwidth. Check if your airline offers 'streaming-capable WiFi' before relying on it. Download content before your flight as backup.
No, in-flight WiFi is not secure by default. Treat it like public WiFi at a coffee shop. Always use a VPN to encrypt your connection, especially for banking or sensitive work. Avoid entering passwords or credit card info without HTTPS. Hackers can intercept unencrypted data on shared networks. Free VPNs work, but paid options (NordVPN, ExpressVPN) are faster and more reliable.
No. Full-service international carriers (Emirates, Singapore, Qatar) have extensive IFE systems with 100+ movies, TV shows, games, and live TV. US domestic carriers vary—Delta and United have seatback screens on most planes, while Southwest relies on streaming to personal devices. Budget airlines (Ryanair, Spirit) typically have no IFE. Always download entertainment before boarding budget or short-haul flights.
Yes, most airlines now allow Bluetooth devices in airplane mode. However, many seatback entertainment systems don't support Bluetooth—you'll need wired headphones or a Bluetooth adapter. Bring a 3.5mm headphone jack adapter if using wireless headphones. Some newer aircraft (United, Delta) have Bluetooth-enabled IFE systems. Always carry wired backup headphones for compatibility.
Enable airplane mode, then turn WiFi back on. Select the airline's network (e.g., 'DeltaWiFi', 'United_WiFi'). Open a browser—you'll be redirected to the payment portal. Purchase a plan or enter your frequent flyer number if WiFi is complimentary. Some airlines require downloading their app first. Connection usually activates 10-15 minutes after takeoff and disconnects before landing.
JetBlue (free Viasat WiFi, 25+ Mbps), Delta (free for SkyMiles members on most flights), United (Starlink rollout in progress, fast speeds), Emirates (unlimited free WiFi in all cabins), and Qatar Airways (free WiFi, good speeds). Worst: Spirit, Frontier, and many European budget carriers with no WiFi or slow, expensive options. Check WiFi availability before booking long flights.
Technically yes via WiFi calling or apps like WhatsApp, but most airlines prohibit voice calls to avoid disturbing passengers. Texting and messaging apps are allowed and encouraged. Some international carriers (Emirates, Etihad) allow calls but charge premium rates. Use headphones and speak quietly if permitted. Violating call policies can result in warnings or removal from future flights.
Satellite WiFi (Viasat, Inmarsat, Starlink) works globally, including over oceans, with speeds of 12-100+ Mbps. Air-to-ground (Gogo ATG) only works over land, has slower speeds (3-10 Mbps), and can't stream. Satellite is better for international flights and streaming. Check your aircraft type—newer planes have satellite, older domestic planes use ATG. Starlink (SpaceX) is the fastest, rolling out on United, Hawaiian, and JSX.
Limited options: JetBlue offers free WiFi on all flights. Delta provides free messaging (iMessage, WhatsApp) and free WiFi for SkyMiles members. Turkish Airlines has free WiFi. Some airlines offer free WiFi to elite status holders or premium cabin passengers. Otherwise, download content before flying: Netflix, Spotify, Kindle books, podcasts. Offline maps (Google Maps) work without WiFi.
Use our trip planner to organize your flights and prepare for a seamless travel experience.