Oct 1, 2017, 1:57 am
Last edit by: sigma421
Onboard WiFi has been introduced to BA's fleet and is being marketed as Highlife Connect. This thread is to track the rollout. See https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb.../wifi-on-board for BA's FAQ on the system.
Long-haul aircraft with WiFi fitted
A350-1000 - All fitted (12 aircraft).
A380 - All fitted (12 aircraft)
777-200ER - All fitted (43 aircraft)
777-300ER - All fitted (16 aircraft)
787-8 - 0/12 aircraft
787-9 - 14/18 aircraft
G-ZBKA, G-ZBKB, G-ZBKC, G-ZBKD, G-ZBKG, G-ZBKH, G-ZBKI, G-ZBKJ, G-ZBKK, G-ZBKL, G-ZBKM, G-ZBKN, G-ZBKO, G-ZBKP
787-10 - All fitted (2 aircraft).
BA are currently trialling free WiFi in first class cabins. For those in other cabins the current cost on all long-haul aircraft is:
Note that prices and services offered are subject to change.
787-8 - G-ZBJA/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/M
787-9 - G-ZBKE/F/R/S
The majority of aircraft have wi-fi equipment fitted with the exception of those expected to retire within the next few years. Wi-fi equipment is installed after delivery and the rate at which this happens appears to have slowed down post-COVID.
A319 - 12/29 Aircraft
G-EUOA
G-EUPL/M/N/O/P/R/S/T/U/Y/Z
A320 - 61/67 Aircraft
G-EUUA/B/C/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/R/T/U/V/W/X/Y/Z
G-EUYA/B/D/E/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/R/S/T/U/V/W/X
G-GATH/J/K/M/N/P/R/S/U
G-MEDK
G-MIDO/S/T/X/Y
G-TTOB/E
A320neo - 17/20 Aircraft
G-TTNA/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/Q/R
Wi-fi installation has not yet occurred for aircraft delivered from October 2022 onwards.
A321 - 15/18 Aircraft
G-EUXC/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M
G-MEDL/M/N
A321neo - All fitted (10 aircraft)
The price of WiFi on short-haul flights varies according to the length of the route. The following prices are known:
Messaging - £1.99 or £2.99 depending on flight distance.
Browse & Stream (one hour) - £4.99
Browse & Stream (whole flight)
£4.99 (MAN / NCL)
£6.99 (ARN / HAM)
£7.99 (KRK / LIS / MAS / PMI)
£8.99 (AGP)
£9.99 (LED / SOF)
£11.99 (LCA)
Short-haul aircraft not planned to receive WiFi due to retirement
A319 - 18 Aircraft
G-EUOE/F/G
G-EUPD/G/J/K/W
G-DBCA/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/J/K
Background information:
Long-haul aircraft with WiFi fitted
A350-1000 - All fitted (12 aircraft).
A380 - All fitted (12 aircraft)
777-200ER - All fitted (43 aircraft)
777-300ER - All fitted (16 aircraft)
787-8 - 0/12 aircraft
787-9 - 14/18 aircraft
G-ZBKA, G-ZBKB, G-ZBKC, G-ZBKD, G-ZBKG, G-ZBKH, G-ZBKI, G-ZBKJ, G-ZBKK, G-ZBKL, G-ZBKM, G-ZBKN, G-ZBKO, G-ZBKP
787-10 - All fitted (2 aircraft).
BA are currently trialling free WiFi in first class cabins. For those in other cabins the current cost on all long-haul aircraft is:
- 1 hour: £7.99
- 4 hours: £17.99
- Full flight: up to £23.99 depending on route
Note that prices and services offered are subject to change.
Long-haul aircraft still to be fitted with WiFi
787-8 - G-ZBJA/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/M
787-9 - G-ZBKE/F/R/S
Short-haul and mid-haul aircraft known to have WiFi fitted and enabled
The majority of aircraft have wi-fi equipment fitted with the exception of those expected to retire within the next few years. Wi-fi equipment is installed after delivery and the rate at which this happens appears to have slowed down post-COVID.
A319 - 12/29 Aircraft
G-EUOA
G-EUPL/M/N/O/P/R/S/T/U/Y/Z
A320 - 61/67 Aircraft
G-EUUA/B/C/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/R/T/U/V/W/X/Y/Z
G-EUYA/B/D/E/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/R/S/T/U/V/W/X
G-GATH/J/K/M/N/P/R/S/U
G-MEDK
G-MIDO/S/T/X/Y
G-TTOB/E
A320neo - 17/20 Aircraft
G-TTNA/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/Q/R
Wi-fi installation has not yet occurred for aircraft delivered from October 2022 onwards.
A321 - 15/18 Aircraft
G-EUXC/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M
G-MEDL/M/N
A321neo - All fitted (10 aircraft)
The price of WiFi on short-haul flights varies according to the length of the route. The following prices are known:
Messaging - £1.99 or £2.99 depending on flight distance.
Browse & Stream (one hour) - £4.99
Browse & Stream (whole flight)
£4.99 (MAN / NCL)
£6.99 (ARN / HAM)
£7.99 (KRK / LIS / MAS / PMI)
£8.99 (AGP)
£9.99 (LED / SOF)
£11.99 (LCA)
Short-haul aircraft not planned to receive WiFi due to retirement
A319 - 18 Aircraft
G-EUOE/F/G
G-EUPD/G/J/K/W
G-DBCA/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/J/K
Background information:
FAQ : Status of on-board WiFi rollout on BA aircraft
Dec 2, 2017, 10:12 am
#76
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
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Do any of the 787-9's have WiFi?
I was parked up next to G-ZBKE, and the below showed on my Available Networks.
M
I was parked up next to G-ZBKE, and the below showed on my Available Networks.
M
Dec 2, 2017, 11:22 am
#77
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,237
Had to explain this to a customer some time ago and he wouldn't just understand this or admit that this could be a possibility. It was all a ploy to prevent him from using "our" Wifi.
Dec 2, 2017, 11:42 am
#78
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,948
Yes they do have a WiFi of sorts, but not for customers' use (or even crew's). Basically, when the plane lands it "downloads" its status so that Engineering can see what awaits them onboard even before having to debrief the pilots and check the log.
Had to explain this to a customer some time ago and he wouldn't just understand this or admit that this could be a possibility. It was all a ploy to prevent him from using "our" Wifi.
Had to explain this to a customer some time ago and he wouldn't just understand this or admit that this could be a possibility. It was all a ploy to prevent him from using "our" Wifi.
M
Dec 3, 2017, 12:05 pm
#80
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,237
No worries 
As far as I can hear, and bear in mind this is third-fourth-hand rumours, the provider is having troubles on performance. It's not as bad as the product on SH (which on paper should be a lot easier as it relies on cell towers on the ground), which is having even technical-legal larger issues, or so I understand. Bottom line, it's not as easy as it seems and for once I'm glad our bosses have learned the importance of not going 'gung-ho'. BoB and other initiatives have given a good lesson.
As far as I can hear, and bear in mind this is third-fourth-hand rumours, the provider is having troubles on performance. It's not as bad as the product on SH (which on paper should be a lot easier as it relies on cell towers on the ground), which is having even technical-legal larger issues, or so I understand. Bottom line, it's not as easy as it seems and for once I'm glad our bosses have learned the importance of not going 'gung-ho'. BoB and other initiatives have given a good lesson.
Dec 3, 2017, 7:58 pm
#81
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,797
No worries
As far as I can hear, and bear in mind this is third-fourth-hand rumours, the provider is having troubles on performance. It's not as bad as the product on SH (which on paper should be a lot easier as it relies on cell towers on the ground), which is having even technical-legal larger issues, or so I understand. Bottom line, it's not as easy as it seems and for once I'm glad our bosses have learned the importance of not going 'gung-ho'. BoB and other initiatives have given a good lesson.
As far as I can hear, and bear in mind this is third-fourth-hand rumours, the provider is having troubles on performance. It's not as bad as the product on SH (which on paper should be a lot easier as it relies on cell towers on the ground), which is having even technical-legal larger issues, or so I understand. Bottom line, it's not as easy as it seems and for once I'm glad our bosses have learned the importance of not going 'gung-ho'. BoB and other initiatives have given a good lesson.
Dec 3, 2017, 9:53 pm
#82
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BA exec, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 556
I’ve been travelling on various airlines for two months now with WiFi.
YMMV but here’s what I’ve found.
That said the $19 for entire flight connection AA charges is good value and of course extra revenue
YMMV but here’s what I’ve found.
- Emirates when working it’s not bad BUT they have a lot of downtime taking up cabin crew time trying to sort.
- American - very good
- Virgin Australia- good
That said the $19 for entire flight connection AA charges is good value and of course extra revenue
Dec 7, 2017, 11:43 pm
#83
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,237
Seems that the first few aircrafts were the "pilot", a bit like a new seat need some "shakedown" flights to be then OK'd by the CAA. Now the full roll-out Wi-Fi on longhaul has the green light by the authorities and, more importantly has been authorised by finance. I've been told that whatever target was decided and broadcasted at end of year results / capital markets day will be aimed for, so they're ramping up the work.
Only caveat is for the 787 fleet: considering much of them is now a paperweight due to the RR Trent 1000 issues, there might be delays on that point.
Dec 8, 2017, 1:30 am
#84
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Is this really such a big job? It's not as if wifi on aircraft is that cutting edge any more - other airlines have had it for some time.
If this all trundles along like the CW catering and bedding roll out it could clearly take a little time (translate as 'if you a LGW traveller don't hold your breath).
On the 787s, if they are going to be sat around awaiting engines then surely a good opportunity to handle it.
If this all trundles along like the CW catering and bedding roll out it could clearly take a little time (translate as 'if you a LGW traveller don't hold your breath).
On the 787s, if they are going to be sat around awaiting engines then surely a good opportunity to handle it.
Dec 8, 2017, 5:58 am
#85
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona
Programs: BA (GGL G4L), AA (Gold), HH (Diamond); Marriott (Gold)
Posts: 3,011
That said, it's a relatively simply upgrade once the process is streamlined. My understanding is that if all goes according to plan, it can be done in a day or two.
Dec 8, 2017, 1:35 pm
#86
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 726
Part of the reason for the lack of instalations is that Gogo have a backlog of nearly 1500 aircraft worldwide waiting to be fitted. They announced that as of October 31st they'd fitted the 2Ku system on 322 planes in 2017 so far, so their backlog is about four years at the current rate although I expect that will decrease as everything ramps up.
Dec 8, 2017, 1:46 pm
#87
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 726
Gogo Inflight Internet Gogo Receives Regulatory Approval to Install 2Ku on Boeing 777 Aircraft - Gogo Concourse
Dec 8, 2017, 2:06 pm
#89
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona
Programs: BA (GGL G4L), AA (Gold), HH (Diamond); Marriott (Gold)
Posts: 3,011
It can be done in just under two days at the moment. This time last year it was taking three and a half days so they're improving.
Part of the reason for the lack of instalations is that Gogo have a backlog of nearly 1500 aircraft worldwide waiting to be fitted. They announced that as of October 31st they'd fitted the 2Ku system on 322 planes in 2017 so far, so their backlog is about four years at the current rate although I expect that will decrease as everything ramps up.
Part of the reason for the lack of instalations is that Gogo have a backlog of nearly 1500 aircraft worldwide waiting to be fitted. They announced that as of October 31st they'd fitted the 2Ku system on 322 planes in 2017 so far, so their backlog is about four years at the current rate although I expect that will decrease as everything ramps up.
Dec 8, 2017, 2:13 pm
#90
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 63,804
It starts next year for shorthaul, apparently. The idea was that 90% of BA's fleet would be on Highlife Connect by the end of 2018, but that seems optimistic.
