Oct 26, 2015, 2:06 am
Last edit by: Adam Smith
General WiFi Tidbits
Detailed WiFi roll-out info compiled by FTers:
Planes with WiFi (confirmed by FTers):
Remaining planes planned for WiFi that are still without WiFI or unknown:
Planes with no plans to install WiFi:
Air Canada Status WiFi Benefit
- WiFi is managed by "WiFi Onboard", formerly known as "Gogo"
- If you have a pass from WiFi OnBoard for their entire fleet that will generally work
- You can redeem Aeroplan points for various packages ranging from one hour to the entire flight and at different speeds
- Only one device at a time can use the plan. Once you log in with another device with your WiFi Onboard or Aeroplan account the other device will drop
- Rouge J customers are now getting a one-time WiFi Onboard code for free WiFi on the flight instead of getting an iPad
Detailed WiFi roll-out info compiled by FTers:
Planes with WiFi (confirmed by FTers):
- GoGo 2Ku satellite-based system (fast, large coverage area, including over water - coverage map):
- 223
- 319 (rouge)
- 320 (rouge)
- 321 (rouge)
- 333 (except 946 and 948)
- 788
- 789 (except 860)
- 77L
- 77W
- Gogo ATG system (old, slow, only works over land in North America, and not very far north - coverage map)
- CR9: 701-721, 780-784 (note: a recent report from a Jazz pilot suggests the system may be disabled on 780-784)
- E75
- 319 (mainline)
- 320 (mainline)
- 321 (mainline)
Remaining planes planned for WiFi that are still without WiFI or unknown:
- CR9: 722-730 (note: a recent report from a Jazz pilot suggests the system may be disabled on 780-784)
- 7M8: all (AC had an embarrassing escapade with a Thales system that was completely inadequate. As of March 2023, they appear to have given up on this system. What they plan to replace it with is uncertain)
- 789: 860
- 333: 946, 948
Planes with no plans to install WiFi:
- DH4s
- CRJs
Air Canada Status WiFi Benefit
- The benefit lasts for 12 months from the date of activation, which is the first date you sign into Gogo on an AC flight using your Aeroplan account. Date of benefit selection is irrelevant. It must be activated by the end of the calendar year.
- Benefit currently works on all aircraft with WiFi, except possibly rouge. Some rouge aircraft have reported having access to the Aeroplan sign in which was required for the Aeroplan benefit to work. It's unknown whether the benefit will be extended to those fleets in the future.
- The benefit says you can have up to 5 users but that is five unique devices in a one month period and not simultaneous usage. You will need to log off one device to use another device on the same flight. GoGo will apparently block if it sees too many devices in a one month period to avoid credential sharing.
- There are huge problems with the Aeroplan login for this benefit. There is a high likelihood that you will need to attempt to log in numerous times for it to work, and it may not work at all. Chatting with WiFi Onboard support should get you a one-time code for free WiFi for the flight.
On-Board WIFI (2013-2022)
Mar 12, 2014, 9:17 am
#46
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MEX/YVR/YYF
Programs: AS MVP/AC75K/AM Gold/UA*S/SPG-Marriott Lifetime Titanium/Accor-FPC Gold/HHDiamond/Hyatt Exp
Posts: 5,035
I had Gogo Inflight Internet wifi on my MEX-YYZ flight 2 weeks ago and it kicked it near Corpus Christi, TX and worked near perfectly until somewhere around both KY and TN where it dropped off completely for 30 mins or so. It returned over OH and worked until below 10K feet on approach to YYZ.
Better than nothing to be sure, however, people using it for Skype sitting next to me in J is beyond ridiculous and rude.
Can you hear me now? How 'bout now? Better? Onnn thhhheeee pllllannnne here...
Better than nothing to be sure, however, people using it for Skype sitting next to me in J is beyond ridiculous and rude.
Can you hear me now? How 'bout now? Better? Onnn thhhheeee pllllannnne here...
Mar 12, 2014, 6:27 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC-SE MM
Posts: 1,251
I just return from FRA-YYZ on LH470. The Wifi on board is awesome. I FaceTimed my wife and infant daughter at 36K over the ocean. I'd also say LH Business Class has much better Service, Food, and certainly Drink. I have to fly out of FRA in 4 weeks and I'm certainly go this flight again. The departure time is also better for me than AC. Oh also super good WiFi.
May 5, 2014, 1:02 pm
#48
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: A3*G, AC, IHG Plat AMB
Posts: 1,604
I realize I'm going to sound a bit of a broken record here, but while clearing out emails I ran across one of the many announcements from AC about this and now that there's a slim chance I'll be back on an AC domestic in the future, thought "hey, this seems interesting"
And then I read the terms:
Hmm, AC. Let's run it down here:
-Blackberry, of course.
-Apple, of course.
-Windows mobile? Nice inclusion.
-Symbian?? Really?
That is all.
Oh, I get that platforms "include" and the GoGo site suggests it's included but come on, AC. Now you're just going to pretend it doesn't exist? Is it because you aren't getting any love for your "app" that has almost always failed to even achieve the basic level of functionality?
And then I read the terms:
Platforms supported include: Blackberry®, Windows® Mobile, Apple®, and Nokia® (Symbian S60).
-Blackberry, of course.
-Apple, of course.
-Windows mobile? Nice inclusion.
-Symbian?? Really?
That is all.
Oh, I get that platforms "include" and the GoGo site suggests it's included but come on, AC. Now you're just going to pretend it doesn't exist? Is it because you aren't getting any love for your "app" that has almost always failed to even achieve the basic level of functionality?
May 5, 2014, 2:10 pm
#49
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,342
How do they not support Android 
May 5, 2014, 4:36 pm
#50
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: A3*G, AC, IHG Plat AMB
Posts: 1,604
I suspect they do, they just don't want to even admit it.
Or, knowing AC, they don't. I sort of figured that if anyone knew definitively if they did, though, it would be you....
Or, knowing AC, they don't. I sort of figured that if anyone knew definitively if they did, though, it would be you....
May 5, 2014, 5:12 pm
#51
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,342
I've definitely used Android with GoGo before.
May 5, 2014, 6:16 pm
#52
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: A3*G, AC, IHG Plat AMB
Posts: 1,604
The GoGo website advertises an Android app, so I'm fairly sure it's going to work. In that case, it's just an error of omission. But a very interesting error of omission, given they list Symbian.
May 6, 2014, 4:30 am
#53
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SEMM, NEXUS
Posts: 858
Just like the FP website that still says Latitude flights earn 100% and Rouge flights in Flex earn 400 AQM
May 6, 2014, 8:50 am
#54
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,342
But yeah, the flight pass earnings pages are confusing too. Especially when you ask @ACAltitude about it, and they confirm those pages are accurate
May 15, 2014, 5:17 pm
#55
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego Area
Programs: UA Gold MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott Plat LT, HH Gold, IHG Plat, WoH Discvst, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,834
Is it still just Fins #280 & #282 with WiFi?
Jun 1, 2014, 7:43 am
#56
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: AC SE / National Exec Elite / Marriott Gold / Accor Elite
Posts: 93
Free wifi onboard
Had a great experience yesterday YUL-LAX
Was in row 14 of Y - still enjoying the A319 "traditional" seats - tons of legroom, decent width. I'll miss them when they're gone
I did not know that on select flights, Amex is sponsoring FREE Gogo Internet.
While not incredibly fast, it was cool to be able to text and chat with the kids back home, and play words with friends while onboard.
Anyhoo… Free wifi on some flights ! ^^^
Was in row 14 of Y - still enjoying the A319 "traditional" seats - tons of legroom, decent width. I'll miss them when they're gone
I did not know that on select flights, Amex is sponsoring FREE Gogo Internet.
While not incredibly fast, it was cool to be able to text and chat with the kids back home, and play words with friends while onboard.
Anyhoo… Free wifi on some flights ! ^^^
Jun 1, 2014, 9:43 am
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC: Ac*A, , Nexus: Expired
Posts: 1,489
Had a great experience yesterday YUL-LAX
Was in row 14 of Y - still enjoying the A319 "traditional" seats - tons of legroom, decent width. I'll miss them when they're gone
I did not know that on select flights, Amex is sponsoring FREE Gogo Internet.
While not incredibly fast, it was cool to be able to text and chat with the kids back home, and play words with friends while onboard.
Anyhoo… Free wifi on some flights ! ^^^
Was in row 14 of Y - still enjoying the A319 "traditional" seats - tons of legroom, decent width. I'll miss them when they're gone
I did not know that on select flights, Amex is sponsoring FREE Gogo Internet.
While not incredibly fast, it was cool to be able to text and chat with the kids back home, and play words with friends while onboard.
Anyhoo… Free wifi on some flights ! ^^^
Jun 1, 2014, 9:14 pm
#58
Join Date: May 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: UA*1K, Marriott Titanium (LTP), Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,665
Started by danapop 
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...oard-wifi.html
FYI, it's only free for the start of the deployment, until June 30th: http://www.aircanada.com/en/offers/a...ifi_sep09.html
News from April: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/air-can...rica-1.2603983
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...oard-wifi.htmlFYI, it's only free for the start of the deployment, until June 30th: http://www.aircanada.com/en/offers/a...ifi_sep09.html
News from April: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/air-can...rica-1.2603983
Jun 1, 2014, 9:38 pm
#59
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,342
I was on one of the Wifi equipped 319's this week. I happened to notice a Wifi logo as I was boarding, which was the only indication it had Wifi - the flight crew didn't mention anything about it and I didn't see any signage onboard. I was chatting with my seatmate towards the end of the flight (E75 tags and sitting in J, so presumably a seasoned traveler) and mentioned the Wifi and she was surprised when I'd mentioned it the wifi, as there was no mention or indication of it inside the aircraft.
A bit surprised the flight crew wasn't promoting it more, but it probably helped to keep the speed up, given that few people seemed to know about it. Not sure if I'd use it regularly, as sometimes I like being forced offline for a few hours, but nice to have the option.
A bit surprised the flight crew wasn't promoting it more, but it probably helped to keep the speed up, given that few people seemed to know about it. Not sure if I'd use it regularly, as sometimes I like being forced offline for a few hours, but nice to have the option.
Jun 2, 2014, 9:09 am
#60
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: YUL
Programs: Super Elite 100K
Posts: 830
In all cases, outcomes are probably incorrect because of AC's seeming insouciance in running this test. Rigorous tests demand rigorous protocols, why can't AC get a grip on that fundamental? To have a client, a frequent flyer to boot, find out at the END of the flight that it was available means someone at AC is not doing a good job of promoting it!