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 3, 2014, 2:33 pm
#31
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
3 weeks ago my girlfriend had the gogo hotspot available and able to connect to on YYC - YVR, but actual internet was not yet running on it.
Mar 3, 2014, 3:22 pm
#32
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SEMM, NEXUS
Posts: 858
Yes that was my thinking too but since 112 basically skirts the US border for most of the flight it might be why it's available.
Also danapop speed was barely good enough for a crappy-quality Skype call. I can't imagine being able to realistically stream any video.
And I chatted with the SD about the service, and yes, she also told me that the plan is to expand the service pretty soon. Let's hope so ^
Mar 3, 2014, 3:42 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YUL
Posts: 83
Wifi will be available as of this month March when flying in Canada on only 2 fins 280/282. The network is now available. I am not sure if AC is planning to add other aircrafts.
Mar 3, 2014, 3:43 pm
#34
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: YYC
Programs: AC E35, Marriott, National
Posts: 71
Mar 3, 2014, 5:05 pm
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC: Ac*A, , Nexus: Expired
Posts: 1,489
So if GOGO is all over Canada, I am assuming this mean no WIFI TATL or TPAC?
Mar 3, 2014, 5:16 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Why? Why? Zed! / Why? You? Elle! / Gee! Are You!
Programs: Irrelevant
Posts: 3,543
So, no, no TATL or TPAC coverage.
Mar 3, 2014, 7:00 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: YYJ
Posts: 4,137
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...i/default.aspx
Last edited by cedric; Mar 3, 2014 at 7:07 pm
Mar 5, 2014, 10:11 am
#38
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YXU
Programs: AE Diamond, SPG Gold, Air Miles Gold, Amex AE Plat
Posts: 13
FWIW, flew on TK from YYZ-IST on 777 and there was (free!) wifi connectivity, even in Canadian airspace.
Mar 6, 2014, 8:13 am
#39
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Why? Why? Zed! / Why? You? Elle! / Gee! Are You!
Programs: Irrelevant
Posts: 3,543
GoGo does have a satellite solution as well. UA, DL, Aeromexico, JAL & AA are in the process of installing it.
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...i/default.aspx
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...i/default.aspx
-
I have been told that Ka band satellite service won't be ready for general roll-out beyond the US for another 18 - 24 months or so.
Mar 6, 2014, 8:30 am
#40
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
I think there are still bugs to work out regardless of who or where it's being offered. Recently experienced:
LH A346 FRA/YYZ - Completely dead entire routing (guessing aircraft outage)
DL B757 SFO/YYZ - Somewhat Patchy
DL CR9 DTW/YYZ - Fast and flawless
AC A319 CUN/YYC - Searching until landfall hit beyond Gulf of Mexico
LH A346 FRA/YYZ - Completely dead entire routing (guessing aircraft outage)
DL B757 SFO/YYZ - Somewhat Patchy
DL CR9 DTW/YYZ - Fast and flawless
AC A319 CUN/YYC - Searching until landfall hit beyond Gulf of Mexico
Mar 6, 2014, 12:03 pm
#41
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: 44,331
Mar 6, 2014, 12:54 pm
#42
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Why? Why? Zed! / Why? You? Elle! / Gee! Are You!
Programs: Irrelevant
Posts: 3,543
Mar 11, 2014, 9:07 pm
#43
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: Aeroplan, Westjet Rewards
Posts: 322
I had the free Amex-sponsored wifi 2 nights ago on AC248 A319 from YVR to YEG. Signal was strong and fast enough for regular web browsing but did cut out a few times.
No advanced signage or indicators of wifi availability on this flight (that I noticed). Only the flight attendant's announcement as the seat belt sign turned off.
No advanced signage or indicators of wifi availability on this flight (that I noticed). Only the flight attendant's announcement as the seat belt sign turned off.
Mar 11, 2014, 10:14 pm
#44
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC: Ac*A, , Nexus: Expired
Posts: 1,489
Any definitive list of fin numbers? On AC161 tomorrow and would love wifi.