Staying connected is an important part of life in 2025, and some people believe that free Wi-Fi should be available just about everywhere. But that’s still not the case when it comes to air travel.
JetBlue was the first U.S. airline to offer free Wi-Fi in 2017, and it continues to do so today. You may have thought back then that other domestic airlines would quickly follow suit, but that hasn’t turned out to be the case.
Delta Air Lines, for example, didn’t start offering free Wi-Fi to all SkyMiles members until 2023, after trials the previous year. Two years later, it’s still in the process of rolling out that free internet access for loyalty members across its entire fleet.
Meanwhile, other airlines have also taken steps to offer free Wi-Fi, such as United Airlines with its plans for Starlink service and the recent American Airlines announcement that it would begin its own free Wi-Fi trials.
Globally, many major airlines still only offer paid Wi-Fi, while some still don’t even have any Wi-Fi-equipped airplanes. Only a handful of airlines worldwide offer unlimited free Wi-Fi to all passengers — and in many instances, you need to be a member of the airline’s loyalty program to access the benefit, as with Delta.
Some airlines also limit their free Wi-Fi offering to just a few minutes or have strict data allowances — just enough to quickly check your email or update your social media status. If you want web browsing for your entire flight, you’ll still need to pay up.
On the whole, it seems that the broad consensus among airlines is that free Wi-Fi is still considered a premium benefit and thus only provided to passengers with elite status or those who are flying in business or first class. Even in those cases, the free Wi-Fi may be a restricted data allowance.
Airlines with free Wi-Fi
We’ve reviewed the Wi-Fi offerings on the world’s major airlines and put together this comprehensive guide on which airlines offer free Wi-Fi — whether it’s unlimited or has a data cap, and whether it is free to all or only for certain passengers.
In all instances, all of the included airlines with Wi-Fi do have paid plans, but here, we’re only focusing on how to get it for free.
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Additionally, in this guide, we’re only outlining the airlines with free Wi-Fi for internet browsing. This is not the same as airlines that offer unlimited free inflight messaging via apps such as WhatsApp, iMessage and Facebook Messenger but require a paid plan for web browsing.
Also, keep in mind that just because an airline has free Wi-Fi, it does not necessarily mean Wi-Fi is available on all the airline’s flights. If a particular plane is not equipped with Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi will not be available — paid or free.
Aegean Airlines
Wi-Fi is free to those with a Miles+Bonus membership or business-class passengers (only available on European routes and on all aircraft equipped with Wi-Fi technology).
You’ll need to log in with your Miles+Bonus credentials or booking reference number if you have a business-class ticket (this applies to trips from or to Greece) and activate the available free internet bundle.
Aer Lingus
Wi-Fi is complimentary for business-class passengers and AerClub Concierge members.
Aeromexico
Passengers who have purchased a Premier One fare receive a voucher for two hours of complimentary internet.
Air Canada
Air Canada plans to make fast, free Wi-Fi available to all Aeroplan members, beginning in May 2025 with North American and Caribbean routes. Free Wi-Fi on long-haul international routes is expected to roll out in 2026.
Air France
Air France is currently in the process of equipping all its aircraft with Starlink internet service. Wi-Fi will be free of charge in all cabins to members of the Flying Blue loyalty program.
Air India
Air India announced in January that it had rolled out Wi-Fi internet connectivity on board select aircraft and that it would be complimentary for a limited time. No end date for the free Wi-Fi has been announced.
Air New Zealand
Wi-Fi is free for all passengers on any aircraft equipped with it.
Alaska Airlines
Eligible T-Mobile customers can receive free Wi-Fi on domestic flights. Depending on your plan, you’ll either get unlimited free sessions or four free full-flight sessions and unlimited 60-minute sessions.
All Nippon Airways
Wi-Fi is free for all passengers on Japanese domestic flights. For international flights, only first- and business-class passengers who register their email addresses will receive a free voucher code (one code per person) via email at least two hours before departure.
American Airlines
American Airlines does not broadly offer free Wi-Fi, but there are several ways to access it for free. Like Alaska Airlines, eligible T-Mobile customers can get free Wi-Fi on domestic American Airlines flights.
Some American flights offer a 15- or 20-minute free Wi-Fi pass after you watch a short advertisement. American has also been trialing free Wi-Fi on three domestic routes to gauge the potential for rolling out expanded free Wi-Fi service.
Finally, travelers with the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® can get up to $25 back as statement credits on inflight Wi-Fi purchases each anniversary year on American Airlines-operated flights, while those with the AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver World Elite Mastercard® (available by upgrading from the Aviator Red) can get up to $50 back in statement credits on Wi-Fi.
The information for the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
British Airways
Free Wi-Fi is available for eligible first-class customers, including those who purchased a first-class ticket, those who upgraded to first on the ground before the flight is closed and those who paid for an upgrade to first or are involuntarily upgraded before boarding.
Passengers who move to a first-class seat during the flight are not eligible for free Wi-Fi. Similarly, if the first-class cabin was sold as a Club World or Club Europe seat, it is also not eligible for free Wi-Fi.
Cathay Pacific
Wi-Fi is complimentary for Asia Miles Diamond members, plus passengers in first- and business-class cabins.
Croatia Airlines
If traveling on an Airbus A220 aircraft and using web check-in, business-class passengers can receive a complimentary Wi-Fi voucher. The voucher can be found on the boarding pass and must be entered into the portal by selecting the SkyPremium service plan.
China Eastern Airlines
China Eastern offers a free trial for 258 yuan (about $36) worth of free Wi-Fi. You can apply up to 30 days in advance through China Eastern’s website or mobile app or during your flight. Wi-Fi use is limited to 100 passengers per flight, and the airline’s website says it is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Delta Air Lines
Free Wi-Fi is available on most domestic flights for Delta SkyMiles members. The airline is in the process of rolling out free high-speed Wi-Fi on international and regional flights.
El Al
El Al’s Business Wi-Fi plan is free for business-class passengers (as the name implies) traveling to or from North America, Europe and the Middle East, as well as Matmid Club members with Top Platinum status in any cabin when flying to destinations on planes where the service is offered.
Emirates
The availability of free Wi-Fi is based on your cabin class and elite status tier with Emirates Skywards. The following passengers receive free Wi-Fi:
- Blue members traveling in first class
- Gold and Silver members traveling in business or first class
- Platinum members traveling in any cabin class
To use the free Wi‑Fi service, add your Emirates Skywards membership number to your booking on the Emirates app or through “Manage your booking” online before your flight. Then, you’ll use your Emirates Skywards account details and password to access onboard Wi‑Fi.
Etihad Airways
Platinum and Emerald tier members of Etihad Guest and passengers seated in first class receive complimentary access to the “Surf” Wi-Fi package for the duration of the flight.
Ethiopian Airlines
Wi-Fi is free for business-class travelers. Platinum ShebaMiles members receive a complimentary one-hour Wi-Fi package.
EVA Airways
Business-class passengers who purchase an Up, Standard or Basic fare or premium economy and economy-class passengers who purchase an Up fare receive complimentary Wi-Fi on EVA Air’s long-haul routes on board select aircraft.
Passengers must register on EVA Air’s “Manage your trip” page to receive a voucher code for complimentary Wi-Fi. Registration is available from 48 hours to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Depending on the booking code, passengers will receive up to 100 megabytes of data.
Fiji Airways
Business-class passengers receive complimentary Wi-Fi access for the duration of the flight when on board connected aircraft.
Finnair
The availability of free Wi-Fi is based on your Finnair Plus elite status tier, cabin class and ticket type.
On long-haul flights, Wi-Fi is free for one hour for business-class passengers with a Classic or Flex ticket and Finnair Plus Gold members and is free for the whole flight for Finnair Plus Platinum and Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo members.
On short-haul flights, Wi-Fi is free for 30 minutes for business-class passengers with a Classic or Flex ticket, Gold members and Plus Platinum members and is free for the whole flight for Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo members.
Hawaiian Airlines
Starlink internet is available on all of Hawaiian Airlines’ Airbus A330 and A321neo aircraft, providing all passengers with free high-speed Wi-Fi on flights between Hawaii and the continental U.S. or international destinations.
Icelandair
The availability of free Wi-Fi on select aircraft is based on either your Icelandair elite status tier or cabin class and fare type. Passengers who purchase a Saga Premium or Saga Premium Flex fare receive complimentary Wi-Fi access for two devices. Icelandair Saga Gold members also receive free Wi-Fi for two devices. Wi-Fi is not available on domestic flights and flights to Greenland.
Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines offers unlimited free Wi-Fi in all cabins on its domestic flights. For international travel, first- and business-class passengers receive free Wi-Fi, while premium economy and economy passengers get up to one hour of complimentary Wi-Fi.
JetBlue
All of JetBlue’s planes are equipped with FlyFi, the carrier’s free high-speed Wi-Fi. However, some flights traveling outside the continental U.S. — with the exception of Europe and the United Kingdom — may not have service available.
La Compagnie
Free, unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi is available for all passengers for the flight duration on the all-business-class airline.
LATAM
Elite LATAM Pass members — Gold, Gold Plus, Platinum, Black and Black Signature — enjoy free Wi-Fi on flights within Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Lufthansa
Wi-Fi is free for first-class passengers.
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines provides unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi service to all passengers traveling on select wide-body aircraft, regardless of cabin class or loyalty tier.
Norwegian Air
Passengers can select the “Surf” plan to get 15 minutes of free Wi-Fi with limited internet speed on its Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft.
Oman Air
Business Studio passengers receive free Wi-Fi for three hours with an up to 40-MB data allowance (only on board a Boeing 787 aircraft).
Philippine Airlines
Business-class passengers and Mabuhay Miles Million Milers (regardless of class) each receive a code while inflight for a free 100-MB Wi-Fi plan. The airline also has a free 10-MB data plan available to all passengers. Wi-Fi is only available on select international flights and aircraft types.
Qantas
Free Wi-Fi is available on select Qantas domestic and international flights in Australian airspace. The airline has partnered with Viasat to retrofit aircraft and roll out free Wi-Fi for additional international flights, with several Asia routes among the first to launch.
Qatar Airways
Currently, Qatar’s Privilege Club members can receive one hour of free Wi-Fi on board, and Student Club members get unlimited Wi-Fi. However, Qatar has been working to install free Starlink internet service on select aircraft. Starlink is expected to be available by June on flights to or from more than 32 destinations, including Chicago, New York, Toronto and London.
Saudia
First- and business-class passengers and Alfursan Gold and Silver members can enjoy one hour of free inflight Wi-Fi up to 10 MB.
Scandinavian Airlines
Wi-Fi is free for business-class passengers and for SAS EuroBonus Gold and Diamond members.
Singapore Airlines
Unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi is available to Suites, first-class and business-class passengers, plus PPS Club members, supplementary cardholders and Singapore KrisFlyer members in premium economy and economy class.
Southwest Airlines
Wi-Fi is free for A-List Preferred passengers and those who purchase a Business Select fare. Travelers with the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card can also receive free Wi-Fi using the included benefit of up to 365 statement credits for $8 per year for all Wi-Fi transactions on the business card account.
Spirit Airlines
Free Spirit Gold members and passengers who purchase a Go Big fare receive free Wi-Fi.
Starlux Airlines
Passengers traveling in first class, business class and premium economy receive complimentary Wi-Fi service throughout the flight.
Swiss
Swiss first-class passengers and HON Circle members have complimentary access to the “Wi-Fi Premium” package with internet service for the entire flight.
Thai Airways
Royal First Class passengers and Royal Orchid Plus Platinum members can now enjoy unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi service through Thai Sky Connect.
Turkish Airlines
The availability of free Wi-Fi is based on your cabin class and elite status tier with Miles&Smiles. The following passengers receive free Wi-Fi on international Turkish flights with the following data limits:
- Business-class passengers with Miles&Smiles Elite or Elite Plus status: Unlimited internet
- Business-class passengers: 1 gigabyte
- Miles&Smiles Elite or Elite Plus members: 400 MB
- Miles&Smiles Classic Plus members: 250 MB
United
Free Wi-Fi will soon be available for all United MileagePlus members. The airline expects its first flight with Starlink service to occur this spring. United’s entire two-cabin regional fleet is expected to be outfitted by the end of 2025, and it continues to plan to add Starlink to its entire fleet.
Virgin Atlantic
All passengers can receive 20 minutes of free Wi-Fi when flying on an Airbus A330neo.
Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia Beyond members, Velocity Platinum and business-class passengers receive complimentary Wi-Fi.
WestJet
WestJet, in partnership with Telus, is rolling out free Wi-Fi on the majority of its fleet for all WestJet Rewards members. Paid Wi-Fi via WestJet Connect is still supported until the rollout is complete.
Bottom line
Airlines, including Air Canada, Air France, Delta, Qatar and United, are increasingly offering free Wi-Fi to passengers. However, many airlines still consider free Wi-Fi a benefit for premium cabin passengers or those with elite status.
Whether you use inflight Wi-Fi to get some work done or just to help pass the time on a long flight, be sure to check your airline’s Wi-Fi access before you travel to avoid disappointment if your flight is not Wi-Fi-equipped or only has expensive paid plans available.
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