Free WiFi for First Passengers
May 29, 2019, 8:23 pm
#31
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
As others have noted, TK gives this to elite card holders in all classes, as well as to business class passengers, which is the way I think any serious airline should be looking at the equation. So often, the time and resources spent executing the payment process for these passengers is really just a thorn after either the cost of a F/J ticket, or a complete waste of time for the passengers who are taking enough flights to hold higher status. When we're already at the point where this service can be sold for EUR19 on a 12 hour flight, once has to wonder if it's not simply better and even transactionally equivalent for the airline just to comp the service in the same way as extra baggage or free seat selection, both of which are already much more expensive than internet.
As I use it for work (sadly!) I really wouldn't mind paying for it. I have an experience that left me a slightly bitter taste in my mouth that I paid USD 50 for 50 MB (or something similar that was rather expensive) on SQ, and email transmission (with a fairly large attachment) kept dropping out, and it ended up with my buying another lot of 50 MB for USD 50. That was in fully paid F in the days when they were charging everyone for wifi. What was more frustrating than the money was the drop-outs though. It felt like the Wifi was a bit overloaded (as the satellite didn't seem to be dropping out, but Wifi was dropping out a bit), so I am a bit more wary of wifi capacity/satellite bandwidth problems unlimited give-aways might cause, although in this particular case had nothing to do with give-aways.
In other words, reliability is more of an incentive to me, and if it gave airlines less of an incentive to make it reliable when they are giving it away to premium passengers, then I'd rather pay for it.
May 29, 2019, 8:34 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 213
Delta also has free “full” WiFi 1hr for Tmobile users. Hint: you don’t need to be a T-Mobile sub to use it. Just scroll thru your contact list of numbers and enter them to find out if they’re T-Mobile. After the hour, use another number. Rinse, repeat.
May 31, 2019, 8:20 am
#33
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ann Arbor | Barcelona
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, AAdvantage Platinum Pro | United Premier Platinum
Posts: 78
I just flew in BA First from IAH-LHR on 6 May 2019 on a B747. Seemed like it was unlimited free WiFi for First passengers for the entire flight. Was able to access most websites without any problems. Surprisingly fast..
Jul 5, 2019, 8:30 am
#34
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,464
Currently flying LHR-JFK, no free WiFi it seems. CSD confirmed this, WiFi is a paid service, even in First. (Though apparently crew also feel it should be complimentary). Now where have I encountered this sentiment before, disappointing service standards, that passionate crew are ashamed to deliver? 
Has this been a trial, and has this offering been advertised by BA anywhere? Just selfishly thinking if I have any chance of claiming back my WiFi fees...
Has this been a trial, and has this offering been advertised by BA anywhere? Just selfishly thinking if I have any chance of claiming back my WiFi fees...
Jul 8, 2019, 5:52 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Programs: MUCCI; BAEC Lifetime Gold; Marriott Bonvoy Emeritus Titanium; Hertz#1, Avis President’s Club
Posts: 3,214
Currently flying LHR-JFK, no free WiFi it seems. CSD confirmed this, WiFi is a paid service, even in First. (Though apparently crew also feel it should be complimentary). Now where have I encountered this sentiment before, disappointing service standards, that passionate crew are ashamed to deliver?
Has this been a trial, and has this offering been advertised by BA anywhere? Just selfishly thinking if I have any chance of claiming back my WiFi fees...
Has this been a trial, and has this offering been advertised by BA anywhere? Just selfishly thinking if I have any chance of claiming back my WiFi fees...
Jul 8, 2019, 7:10 am
#37
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 109
Jul 8, 2019, 7:16 am
#38
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: BA executive club
Posts: 109
Nov 16, 2019, 2:53 pm
#44
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,190
I am confused... if WiFi free in F (when both are available, obviously) or not? Saw a couple of references elsewhere on FT and when it was queried, a pointer to this thread was provided. The last few posts here indicate that this is not a thing for BA.
rb211.
rb211.
Nov 16, 2019, 2:57 pm
#45
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,805
This is an old thread. If you look at the end of the main Wifi thread (the Highlife Connect thread in the BA Forum Dashboard) you will find the latest updates, which is essence is that from 30 October an "extended trial" will be in operation on all First cabins on wifi'd BA aircraft. When you log in, the input screen gives you a link for First passengers.