Airlines that offer Wi-Fi networks

Consumer Information | Internet Access

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If you follow Twitter and Facebook, you might notice an odd phenomenon lately. People you know are mid-flight, or who mention that they’re mid flight, are, well announcing that they’re mid-flight. For essentially all of aviation’s history, passengers have had no access to communications services. A few airlines have allowed (expensive) calling services, but that’s about it. Even as cell phones became more popular, they simply were not, and are not, allowed on commercial flights. But now many carriers are offering Wi-Fi connections on flights. That means that we can use our smartphones, while in airplane mode, and laptops while we’re hurtling through the air at several hundred miles per hour. Before you go and book your airline tickets, make sure to check out this list of carriers that offer in-flight Wi-Fi.

jetBlue. While jetBlue currently does not offer onboard Wi-Fi services, it does plan to roll out a satellite-based broadband service in 2012. They haven’t said yet whether it will be free or paid.

Continental Airlines. As with jetBlue, Continental also has plans to offer in-flight Wi-Fi in 2012.

Delta. Frequent travelers get deals on in-flight Wi-Fi with Delta. A monthly pass costs $34.95, and an annual pass costs $399.95. For infrequent travelers, 24 hours of Wi-Fi costs $11.65.

Southwest. While not all Southwest flights are WiFi enabled, those that are offer service for just $5 per flight. That’s a per-device cost, so it’s more economical to connect a device that can act as a Wi-Fi hotspot, thereby enabling other devices to connect. (Example: connecting Android smartphone and creating a hotspot for your laptop.)

United Airlines. United Airlines offers WiFi on only a few flights, which are mainly those between New York and either San Francisco or Los Angeles. Rates do vary depending on flight time, but it can typically cost between $10 and $50 — sorry that it’s not a more helpful range.

Virgin America. Virgin America offers Wi-Fi connections for both laptops and handheld devices. Prices for laptops range between $5 and $15, depending on length of flight. A monthly pass costs $35. Handheld devices cost either $5 for flights under 90 minutes, and $8 for flights over that range.