Wifi costs on 787 fleet
Nov 17, 2019, 3:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 261
Wifi costs on 787 fleet
Does anyone know VS's current wifi prices on the 787 fleet for LHR-HKG? Flying out economy, return premium, both on reward bookings.
Flying next week on VS for the first time in many years. I recall there being two tiers previously, but don't remember the costs.
Flying next week on VS for the first time in many years. I recall there being two tiers previously, but don't remember the costs.
Nov 17, 2019, 12:18 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Delta Diamond Million Miler. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 15
LHR to SEA was
Chat and Surf 12.99 GBP for light internet and texting use but limited to150mb
WiFi Max 29.99 GBP for internet use but limited to 500mb
Be aware that background apps that you are not aware of will suck up your data limit in a matter of minutes. Make sure your apps are not auto updated. These data limits are unrealistic for an international trip.
Chat and Surf 12.99 GBP for light internet and texting use but limited to150mb
WiFi Max 29.99 GBP for internet use but limited to 500mb
Be aware that background apps that you are not aware of will suck up your data limit in a matter of minutes. Make sure your apps are not auto updated. These data limits are unrealistic for an international trip.
Nov 17, 2019, 3:36 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 242
LHR to SEA was
Chat and Surf 12.99 GBP for light internet and texting use but limited to150mb
WiFi Max 29.99 GBP for internet use but limited to 500mb
Be aware that background apps that you are not aware of will suck up your data limit in a matter of minutes. Make sure your apps are not auto updated. These data limits are unrealistic for an international trip.
Chat and Surf 12.99 GBP for light internet and texting use but limited to150mb
WiFi Max 29.99 GBP for internet use but limited to 500mb
Be aware that background apps that you are not aware of will suck up your data limit in a matter of minutes. Make sure your apps are not auto updated. These data limits are unrealistic for an international trip.
Surprisingly ANA has/had the same limit on their 777s as of March this year, it's just not enough.
Nov 18, 2019, 1:12 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 261
Indeed. Last time I flew on Virgin Atlantic, there were two options: 50mb and 150mb. One of my colleagues travelling with me got through about 3x payments in the first quarter of a LHR-LAX flight.
Nov 24, 2019, 4:55 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 242
It's one of the options on the portal when you go to the activation page. Instead of choosing a plan there's an option to log in with either TMobile or Boingo, and then you just log in with the account linked to your mastercard.
I can't remember exactly as I've only been on the 787 with VS twice this year.
I can't remember exactly as I've only been on the 787 with VS twice this year.
Nov 26, 2019, 1:15 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SE England
Programs: Amex Cent and all that comes with it
Posts: 332
Agreed. 500Mb is 'chocolate teapot' territory. I recall when VS first launched onboard connectivity to The Internet, I was able to stream Netflix to my heart's content.
The Boingo free access sounds good. Will try it on my upcoming flight and report back.
The Boingo free access sounds good. Will try it on my upcoming flight and report back.
Last edited by mradey; Nov 26, 2019 at 1:20 am
Dec 6, 2019, 10:53 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 261
There were three options on my flight:
20MB, speed limited to 24kbps £2.99
150MB, speed limited to 350kbps £12.99
500MB, didn't note the speed limit £29.99
Last time I used the service (in 2017) it was provided by T-Mobile, now the provider is Panasonic Avionics, so it looks like the plans and speed limits have changed. Slightly amused by the cheapest option being half the speed of dial-up internet. Presumably just intended for those wishing to send an email or two, I'd question whether modern messaging apps would timeout with that sort of speed.
With regards to Boingo, you have to pay a supplement (in addition to the subscription) to get in-flight wifi (on any airline with roaming agreements with Boingo).
20MB, speed limited to 24kbps £2.99
150MB, speed limited to 350kbps £12.99
500MB, didn't note the speed limit £29.99
Last time I used the service (in 2017) it was provided by T-Mobile, now the provider is Panasonic Avionics, so it looks like the plans and speed limits have changed. Slightly amused by the cheapest option being half the speed of dial-up internet. Presumably just intended for those wishing to send an email or two, I'd question whether modern messaging apps would timeout with that sort of speed.
With regards to Boingo, you have to pay a supplement (in addition to the subscription) to get in-flight wifi (on any airline with roaming agreements with Boingo).
Dec 6, 2019, 11:08 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 242
Perhaps it's related to having Boingo from the Virgin Atlantic Mastercard? - I don't pay a subscription for Boingo as it comes free as a perk with the credit card.
ETA: When I tried to use Boingo on AA it didn't work, but it worked fine with VS.
Dec 6, 2019, 11:16 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 261
Mar 3, 2021, 8:16 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 290
I would hope that Virgin for the time being at least mimics DL/KLM/AF and does free messaging: https://paxex.aero/virgin-atlantic-free-wifi/
Jun 3, 2022, 8:28 am
#14
formerl motty
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1K, UA 1MM, VS Gold, Hertz Pres. Circ, Avis Pres Plus, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 56
United Airlines also made texting free. United also charges about $25 for unlimited data on a EWR-TLV 12 hour flight. The data caps and higher costs simply make Virgin's wifi a losing proposition.