I wondered and thought you might be curious, too. It’s changed a lot since you could first connect on a plane — and yet I’m still surprised at how often in-flight internet stinks.
Wi-Fi in the sky without paying a dime (or close to it)
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Is it just me, or does it feel downright offensive to pay $25 for in-flight Wi-Fi that barely loads your email?
Here’s the nasty truth: Some folks on your flight are scrolling TikTok or answering emails for free.
The secret? A mix of loyalty perks, smart credit card picks and a little insider know-how. Let me break it down.
🆓 Airline freebies
You might already have free Wi-Fi and not even know it.
- Delta now offers free Wi-Fi on most domestic flights if you’re a SkyMiles member. No catch. Just log in, and it’s free to sign up.
- JetBlue offers Fly-Fi that’s free internet from gate to gate.
- Hawaiian Airlines is rolling out free Starlink service on its flights.
- Southwest isn’t free, but they offer all-day Wi-Fi for $8 per device. That’s cheap if you’ve got layovers.
- Some airlines let you stream movies and TV shows for free with ads. All you need is your phone, tablet or laptop. No Wi-Fi purchase needed.
🎬 Pro tip: Don’t count on the plane’s Wi-Fi working. Been there, it’s hell on wings. Before you take off, set your Google Drive to offline access and download a couple of Netflix movies or Spotify playlists to your device, so you’re not stuck staring at the seat back in front of you.
💳 Credit card or service
Some credit cards include free or discounted Wi-Fi perks that can pay for themselves after a few trips.
- The Southwest Performance Business Card covers up to 365 in-flight Wi-Fi purchases a year. That’s a free login every day.
- AAdvantage Aviator Red gives you $25 in Wi-Fi statement credits on American Airlines flights.
- United Explorer Card gives you 25% back on in-flight Wi-Fi.
Also, T-Mobile users, you get free texting and Wi-Fi on Alaska, Delta, American and United flights. Just enter your phone number midair.
👉 Pro tip: Buy Wi-Fi ahead of time if you’re not covered. Airlines like Alaska offer preflight passes for less than what they charge on the plane.
How safe is in-flight Wi-Fi?
Score, you’re on a long flight and the Wi-Fi rocks. Not so fast. There are some things you shouldn’t do, no matter how fast the connection.
Bye-bye, Gogo: Whoa … fast, free in-flight Wi-Fi that actually works! Starlink’s satellite broadband is coming to United. Testing starts next month, and it’ll launch across hundreds of Airbus and Boeing jets if all goes well. You’ll need to sign up for a free MileagePlus frequent-flyer program for access.