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)
Jan 3, 2019, 4:39 am
#1036
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Flying Blue Gold, Accor Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 662
So you were able to redeem Gogo passes on an international flight? That’s very interesting. I got some free ones with my Infinite Privileged Visa card and thought they were only valid on NA flights. Was $21 the cost for the messaging or streaming pass?
Jan 3, 2019, 5:49 am
#1037
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,901
Jan 4, 2019, 5:08 am
#1038
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: YVR, KUL
Programs: AC, MH, BA, AF-KL
Posts: 2,904
Jan 4, 2019, 6:12 am
#1039
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
So, I've never gotten an e-mail receipt from AC/Thales for the WiFi on my 7M8 flight the other day. Anyone else had issues? I've never had this problem with Gogo-equipped aircraft.
Jan 4, 2019, 6:13 am
#1040
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,901
Jan 4, 2019, 6:14 am
#1041
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
Jan 4, 2019, 8:12 am
#1042
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,901
Jan 4, 2019, 10:14 am
#1043
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: YUL
Programs: Aeroplan 50K, Accor Diamond
Posts: 253
Jan 4, 2019, 10:49 am
#1044
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
Jan 4, 2019, 2:59 pm
#1045
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YHZ
Programs: AC SE100K, AC 1MM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold,Hertz something or other, Sandals Sapphire, etc
Posts: 1,163
Actually, AC uses 3 different systems.
1) GTA - This system is mostly on the regional jets, and it starts to get spotty as you get north of the US border.
2) GTA4 - This is found on most of the other narrow bodies. It works better in the Northern parts of Canada
3) Satellite - This system is in the wide bodies. I am not sure which system will be in the 7M8s.
1) GTA - This system is mostly on the regional jets, and it starts to get spotty as you get north of the US border.
2) GTA4 - This is found on most of the other narrow bodies. It works better in the Northern parts of Canada
3) Satellite - This system is in the wide bodies. I am not sure which system will be in the 7M8s.
Jan 4, 2019, 3:09 pm
#1046
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,901
FA just told me that they are testing wifi (sounds like Satellite) on three 737's. She mentioned the fin's, which I believe are 501, 508, and 512 or 513. She said testing was just for employees at this point, and the wifi screen comes up as Telus, not gogo or ACwifi.
Jan 4, 2019, 3:19 pm
#1047
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YHZ
Programs: AC SE100K, AC 1MM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold,Hertz something or other, Sandals Sapphire, etc
Posts: 1,163
Jan 4, 2019, 4:11 pm
#1048
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
Thales is a French company, so the proper pronunciation does actually sound somewhat like Telus with the hard T rather than usual English th sound.
The login screen does say Thales, but it also has AC branding on it, kind of like how Gogo is a Gogo page but has AC branding. As for it being limited to employees, that's definitely wrong, since I was able to purchase it (and not get a receipt).
The login screen does say Thales, but it also has AC branding on it, kind of like how Gogo is a Gogo page but has AC branding. As for it being limited to employees, that's definitely wrong, since I was able to purchase it (and not get a receipt).
Jan 4, 2019, 4:15 pm
#1049
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,901
Perhaps it should be mandatory for FAs to read FT post-vacation, for the most current information.
Jan 4, 2019, 4:16 pm
#1050
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,226
