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 - Ł1.99 or Ł2.99 depending on flight distance.
Browse & Stream (one hour) - Ł4.99
Browse & Stream (whole flight)
Ł4.99 (MAN / NCL)
Ł6.99 (ARN / HAM)
Ł7.99 (KRK / LIS / MAS / PMI)
Ł8.99 (AGP)
Ł9.99 (LED / SOF)
Ł11.99 (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: Ł7.99
- 4 hours: Ł17.99
- Full flight: up to Ł23.99 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 - Ł1.99 or Ł2.99 depending on flight distance.
Browse & Stream (one hour) - Ł4.99
Browse & Stream (whole flight)
Ł4.99 (MAN / NCL)
Ł6.99 (ARN / HAM)
Ł7.99 (KRK / LIS / MAS / PMI)
Ł8.99 (AGP)
Ł9.99 (LED / SOF)
Ł11.99 (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
#166
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Edi
Posts: 2,203
There are more. G-STBL has it fitted (mentioned on Twitter on Feb 25th that it was fitted 'a few weeks ago').
CIVW, CIVY and a couple of the BYG's have had major maintenance recently which you'd assume would include wifi fitting.
The problem is that BA don't announce which planes have it until you're on board so you're relying on tweets, messages on here or hoping someone at BA Enginerring comes along with a list of aircraft that have it.
CIVW, CIVY and a couple of the BYG's have had major maintenance recently which you'd assume would include wifi fitting.
The problem is that BA don't announce which planes have it until you're on board so you're relying on tweets, messages on here or hoping someone at BA Enginerring comes along with a list of aircraft that have it.
Anyone know where the wiki is?
#167
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Bournemouth, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 630
I spotted on Saturday that a few flights were showing that WiFi was available on the main airport departure boards. Don't think it was showing in the lounge, though. So a little bit more warning, but not much!
#168
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold (ex BD*S)
Posts: 42
Does anyone know if there is a rollout plan, i.e. X aircraft to be fitted of Y type in Z month?
#169
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 708
At least some, if not all the 772s are having wifi fitted at Shannon. VIIS is there now getting it done. I've also been told the 788s will be fitted there in due course.
#170
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 378
So far 71 shorthaul aircraft have had WiFI installed. BA is currently awaiting approval from the CAA to activate the system.
#171
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Greater Metropolitan Area
Programs: Yes
Posts: 367
Considering that the European Aviation Network was only "completed" on February, 5th (Inmarsat, Deutsche Telekom complete European Aviation Network - SpaceNews.com) I am personally not holding my breath for a quick entry into commercial operation, even if there was imminent CAA approval if that is indeed outstanding - "Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom said EAN service is scheduled to start during the first half of this year, a delay from previous schedules that anticipated a service start during the second half of last year."
Which is probably part of the reason why there is such a big gap between BA's announcement and reality...
#174
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 378
Is there a source for this? If planes already fly with the antenna mounted, then I would have expected that the aerodynamic, interference and whatever else testing would have already been carried out, activated or not?
Considering that the European Aviation Network was only "completed" on February, 5th (Inmarsat, Deutsche Telekom complete European Aviation Network - SpaceNews.com) I am personally not holding my breath for a quick entry into commercial operation, even if there was imminent CAA approval if that is indeed outstanding - "Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom said EAN service is scheduled to start during the first half of this year, a delay from previous schedules that anticipated a service start during the second half of last year."
Which is probably part of the reason why there is such a big gap between BA's announcement and reality...
Considering that the European Aviation Network was only "completed" on February, 5th (Inmarsat, Deutsche Telekom complete European Aviation Network - SpaceNews.com) I am personally not holding my breath for a quick entry into commercial operation, even if there was imminent CAA approval if that is indeed outstanding - "Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom said EAN service is scheduled to start during the first half of this year, a delay from previous schedules that anticipated a service start during the second half of last year."
Which is probably part of the reason why there is such a big gap between BA's announcement and reality...
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2018/0...ourt-decision/
I don’t believe the system can be used by BA until the cases are settled.
Last edited by Scotflyer80; Apr 5, 2018 at 6:52 pm
#175
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Greater Metropolitan Area
Programs: Yes
Posts: 367
Those are competition challenges to the original process for the allocation of the frequencies though - for the UK that's dealt with by Ofcom, not the CAA. It looks like Viasat is challenging in every single European country with every single regulator - UK and France's approval still stands, but the Belgian one now seems to be in limbo. Admittedly I didn't know about this latest Belgian decision, but that still doesn't sound to me as if BA is actually waiting for CAA approval to switch anything on. It sounds more like the entire EAN project is being delayed, both by the slow rollout of the ground stations (now complete as of February 5th), and secondly by the competition challenges for the frequency allocations launched by Viasat, even though Inmarsat/Deutsche Telekom are adamant that those challenges are not leading to delays.
I suppose there would be an option of using only the satellite links over the affected regions but I don't know whether that's technically feasible and certainly would lead to further delays.
While regulators Ofcom and ARCEP have approved the use of the CGCs in the UK and France respectively, regulators including Ireland’s ComReg are still investigating.
I suppose there would be an option of using only the satellite links over the affected regions but I don't know whether that's technically feasible and certainly would lead to further delays.
While regulators Ofcom and ARCEP have approved the use of the CGCs in the UK and France respectively, regulators including Ireland’s ComReg are still investigating.
#176
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 30
#178
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Greater Metropolitan Area
Programs: Yes
Posts: 367
So I think in summary:
- Long-Haul - System live and rollout underway with Gogo 2KU. As the system is new there are certain reliability issues with the physical antennas at least on Delta (https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2018/0...bility-issues/). Also limited to certain aircraft types as the supplemental type certificates for the installation of the antennas has not been obtained yet for some - and I think in some cases the antenna design hasn't even been finalised. According to https://www.gogoair.com/learning-cen...?download=true at the moment there is no STC for A380s and 787s yet, so you won't see long-haul Wifi on those for a while, although I don't know how old that document is.
- Short-Haul - Using European Aviation Network (Inmarsat / Deutsche Telekom) with IAG as the launch customer and not active yet. System ground station rollout complete, satellite backhaul active and frequency allocation obtained from all European regulators, but competition challenges from Viasat over allocation process. Also, system was declared "completed" only two months ago, behind schedule. According to ScotFlyer80, antennas have been installed on 71 aircraft and they are flying with them - but we don't quite know the source for that information.
So once the EAN is active and definitely not impeded by Viasat's competition challenge or indeed some other technical issue (we don't know what the system being "complete" really means, especially with BA being the first commerical customer) there *could* be one big-bang shorthaul switch-on, if there are indeed that many antennas already flying. Those antenna installations must have been going on for a long time "under the radar" (pardon the pun), and at a much higher rate than the long-haul installations. Given that there are TWO antennas involved (one for the S-Band satellite and one for the 4G LTE technology) that's somewhat surprising, but then there are far more planes to get through, and perhaps the installation isn't as involved as for Gogo's antennas.
Last edited by Quark999; Apr 6, 2018 at 10:19 am Reason: IAG as a whole is the launch customer
#179
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Greater Metropolitan Area
Programs: Yes
Posts: 367
This link is interesting about the specifics of the antenna locations for the EAN:
https://www.inmarsataviation.com/con...ionNetwork.pdf
It's actually three antennas, one on top and two at the bottom of the aircraft - they are apparently "low drag" and look far less complex than Gogo's 2KU antennas which operate in much higher frequency spectrum, so while there seems to be a lot of them they are probably indeed much quicker to install, which is the whole point for single-aisle shorthaul fleets.
https://www.inmarsataviation.com/con...ionNetwork.pdf
It's actually three antennas, one on top and two at the bottom of the aircraft - they are apparently "low drag" and look far less complex than Gogo's 2KU antennas which operate in much higher frequency spectrum, so while there seems to be a lot of them they are probably indeed much quicker to install, which is the whole point for single-aisle shorthaul fleets.