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)
Oct 23, 2015, 11:49 pm
#301
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Probably the same general reason they're still using the same IFE system from what, eight years ago?
Nobody in management has been able to figure out whether it's revenue positive, and they don't want to touch anything that might only improve experience without increasing revenue?
Nobody in management has been able to figure out whether it's revenue positive, and they don't want to touch anything that might only improve experience without increasing revenue?
Well, near as I can tell AC still has phones. And email.
Maybe they should have a chat with BR and LH and ask them about how they are able to offer it as a paid service on their long-haul trans-oceanic lights, and maybe be bold and ask about the revenue stream they have from these services.
Oct 24, 2015, 9:26 am
#302
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Further to my post upthread about having wifi on AC 791, I still don't understand why it is so difficult for AC to get the wide body fleet up to speed.
Sure, I can sleep or whatever on my back and forth TPACs, but it's not like it's a free service.
I understand that AC made the choice to go with ground-based wifi service and that might be nice for all those who fly Dom or TB, but the rest of us don't even have access to that feature.
Sure, I can sleep or whatever on my back and forth TPACs, but it's not like it's a free service.
I understand that AC made the choice to go with ground-based wifi service and that might be nice for all those who fly Dom or TB, but the rest of us don't even have access to that feature.
It is also my understanding that they're adding a satellite based system, and AC is looking into getting it on their wide-bodies.
It's not just the domestic/transborder flyers who are affected by this though. I flew on a 767 on Thursday from SFO-YYZ. No wifi for me. It's a choice between a pod and wifi. And as much as I like internet, I prefer a pod.
Actually if the wide-body fleet were fully equipped, I'd seriously consider a monthly pass.
I pre-purchased a $16 day pass the other day for my flights tomorrow. I would have paid $16 for my flight on Thursday if it had wifi. I had two other flights this month that I would have paid $16 on. That's already more than the cost of a monthly pass.
Oct 24, 2015, 12:23 pm
#303
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My understanding is that they chose to go with Gogo. And Gogo only had a ground based system.
It is also my understanding that they're adding a satellite based system, and AC is looking into getting it on their wide-bodies.
It's not just the domestic/transborder flyers who are affected by this though. I flew on a 767 on Thursday from SFO-YYZ. No wifi for me. It's a choice between a pod and wifi. And as much as I like internet, I prefer a pod.
Actually if the wide-body fleet were fully equipped, I'd seriously consider a monthly pass.
I pre-purchased a $16 day pass the other day for my flights tomorrow. I would have paid $16 for my flight on Thursday if it had wifi. I had two other flights this month that I would have paid $16 on. That's already more than the cost of a monthly pass.
It is also my understanding that they're adding a satellite based system, and AC is looking into getting it on their wide-bodies.
It's not just the domestic/transborder flyers who are affected by this though. I flew on a 767 on Thursday from SFO-YYZ. No wifi for me. It's a choice between a pod and wifi. And as much as I like internet, I prefer a pod.
Actually if the wide-body fleet were fully equipped, I'd seriously consider a monthly pass.
I pre-purchased a $16 day pass the other day for my flights tomorrow. I would have paid $16 for my flight on Thursday if it had wifi. I had two other flights this month that I would have paid $16 on. That's already more than the cost of a monthly pass.
I know they chose to use GoGo as this was mentioned before. I was on 4 flights with AA and they also use GoGo. (They also have more options of passes to buy.)
The fact that AC "plans" to add satellite based wifi on the wide bodies does not answer my question as to why it is taking so long.
Also, while AC Dom/TB pax have a better chance due to regionals and narrow-bodies, it does not address the issue that affects those of us who fly AC on long-hauls across oceans. I mentioned this in my post upthread and I am saying so again.
Would I choose BR over AC on my next trip to TPE/HKG because they have wifi? Maybe.
Would I choose LH instead of AC on my next TATL? Maybe
I may also choose those carriers based on other great things I experienced.
Also, IIRC, you wrote that you had wifi on your UA TATL from SFO.
Maybe it's time for AC to participate on this forum where they can answer questions without guessing from forum participants.
Oct 24, 2015, 8:44 pm
#304
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: SE100K (Star Gold)
Posts: 125
If so, the added parasitic cost of a satellite based WIFI does not give AC the advantage so they would not benefit from the installation of said system.
Oct 24, 2015, 9:20 pm
#305
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MLL / AC Cafe
Programs: It's hard to get status when the website won't let me book flights.
Posts: 5,706
AC1177 tonight, E90, Fin 326. No Wifi.
Oct 24, 2015, 9:22 pm
#306
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MLL / AC Cafe
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Based on your other brief post about your experience on BR and LH, wouldn't you choose those airlines over AC anyways?
If so, the added parasitic cost of a satellite based WIFI does not give AC the advantage so they would not benefit from the installation of said system.
If so, the added parasitic cost of a satellite based WIFI does not give AC the advantage so they would not benefit from the installation of said system.
Recently on my YVR - YYZ/YOW and back I've been picking the narrowbody's for the wifi instead of taking the pod on the widebody.
Oct 24, 2015, 9:29 pm
#307
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: SE100K (Star Gold)
Posts: 125
In your case, either way your spend is on AC.
Oct 24, 2015, 9:30 pm
#308
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MLL / AC Cafe
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Posts: 5,706
. If I have to choose between AC intl and another carrier on the same route that has wifi I'll often go with the other carrier (sorry AC I do love you)
Oct 24, 2015, 9:33 pm
#309
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I know they chose to use GoGo as this was mentioned before. I was on 4 flights with AA and they also use GoGo. (They also have more options of passes to buy.)
The fact that AC "plans" to add satellite based wifi on the wide bodies does not answer my question as to why it is taking so long.
The fact that AC "plans" to add satellite based wifi on the wide bodies does not answer my question as to why it is taking so long.
Oct 24, 2015, 10:56 pm
#310
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Not necessarily. It will be the total package of costs, services and so on that determines my next decisions.
And now for the visual portion of my post:
and I was here
and then I was here
Oct 25, 2015, 2:08 am
#311
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I just took my first flight on Westjet yesterday....onboard wifi worked just fine for about US$5 - a fraction of the cost of AC, not to mention the rest of the soft product that makes AC somewhat irrelevant in the domestic market.
Oct 25, 2015, 6:17 am
#312
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Is AC cheaping out on wifi like they are with their IFE procurement(s)?
Oct 25, 2015, 7:59 am
#313
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E75, no WiFi.
Someone on FT said the installation was done, but that's clearly not the case.
Someone on FT said the installation was done, but that's clearly not the case.
Oct 25, 2015, 9:27 am
#314
Join Date: Jul 2013
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Oct 25, 2015, 10:47 am
#315
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