Complimentary Wifi on flights over 4 hours now available
#1
Original Poster

Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,465
Complimentary Wifi on flights over 4 hours now available
Just logged in on our flight to Hawaii and ViaSat is now offering free wifi on flights over 4 hours.
I’ve never seen this before. Is this new?
I’ve never seen this before. Is this new?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,042
This begs to ask the question will this apply to AA heavies as their system seems to be completely different from every other narrow body.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: Texas
Programs: PriorityPass, AA EXP, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Gold
Posts: 61

Edit update- yup same here on the Wifi ending after mainland go bye-bye.
Last edited by xtremegene; Sep 13, 23 at 8:41 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
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Viasat (on narrowbody aircraft) did not used to work out over the open ocean. So those flights (like LAX-HNL) would offer "free wifi" that would work for the first 20 minutes cruising up the California coast, but then service would cut off once the flight turned west, until just prior to landing in Hawaii. So, makes sense to make it "free" for those short time periods of available Wifi service.
Panasonic-equipped widebody aircraft should have service most of the way to Hawaii with occasional drop-outs. But there is currently a charge.
Panasonic-equipped widebody aircraft should have service most of the way to Hawaii with occasional drop-outs. But there is currently a charge.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Actually, it just only 20 minutes free wifi. That’s not enough!! This is not good! We want more times. They should have more than one hour free wifi. It’s very important for everyone.
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2012
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#8
#9
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#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,740
The cheaper plans (like the one I have) give unlimited 1-hr sessions (max 1 per flight) and 4 full-flight sessions per year. The better plans get you unlimited everything. And it works across airlines that use gogo (eg, you can use it on AS as well) so it's a pretty nice benefit.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Texas
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, BonVoy Gold
Posts: 264
It won't work for viasat flights, but a t-mobile phone number will get you free wifi on gogo.
The cheaper plans (like the one I have) give unlimited 1-hr sessions (max 1 per flight) and 4 full-flight sessions per year. The better plans get you unlimited everything. And it works across airlines that use gogo (eg, you can use it on AS as well) so it's a pretty nice benefit.
The cheaper plans (like the one I have) give unlimited 1-hr sessions (max 1 per flight) and 4 full-flight sessions per year. The better plans get you unlimited everything. And it works across airlines that use gogo (eg, you can use it on AS as well) so it's a pretty nice benefit.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,740
Oh that's good to know. I actually have only been on gogo and Panasonic flights recently; I just assumed that the deal was gogo only.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Texas
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, BonVoy Gold
Posts: 264
Yes, it expanded sometime this year, and it's been very nice! It makes flights feel so much more pleasant and go faster when you can be productive and don't have to choose whether to spend $19-29 a flight to do so! Enjoy!
#14
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold, Mariott Gold, AMEX Plat, US CP
Posts: 262
Just so you know, you don't need to be an actual tmobile customer, they don't verify. All you have to do is enter the phone number of a tmobile customer and you get free internet now on every flight.
#15