What are the odds you will have Wi-Fi on your flight?


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For internet addicts, flying on a plane without Wi-Fi can prove devastating.

But while demand for inflight Wi-Fi is growing rapidly, whether or not you have internet on your next flight can be hit or miss.

In fact, a new study has found that overall, fliers only have 'some' chance of Wi-Fi on 24 per cent of flights worldwide.

A new study has found that fliers only have 'some' chance of access to Wi-Fi on 24 per cent of global flights

A new study has found that fliers only have 'some' chance of access to Wi-Fi on 24 per cent of global flights

In the U.S., the figure is higher with at least 66 per cent of flighta having at least 'some' chance of Wi-Fi, according to a report by New York-based Routehappy.

This compares to Routehappy's last report, in June 2013, which found Wi-Fi connectivity on less than half of domestic flights.

Overall, it found that Virgin America had the the highest percentage of total flights and flight miles with Wi-Fi. Southwest came in at second and JetBlue third.

However, Delta Air Lines had the largest total number of flights with Wi-Fi, followed by American Airlines.

In the U.S., the figure is higher with at least 66 per cent of flight having at least 'some' chance of Wi-Fi, according to a report by New York-based Routehappy

In the U.S., the figure is higher with at least 66 per cent of flight having at least 'some' chance of Wi-Fi, according to a report by New York-based Routehappy

Overall, it found that Virgin America had the the highest percentage of total flights and flight miles with Wi-Fi. Southwest came in at second, JetBlue third and Delta fourth

Overall, it found that Virgin America had the the highest percentage of total flights and flight miles with Wi-Fi. Southwest came in at second, JetBlue third and Delta fourth

Delta Air Lines had the largest total number of flights with Wi-Fi, followed by American Airlines and Southwest 

Delta Air Lines had the largest total number of flights with Wi-Fi, followed by American Airlines and Southwest 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE REPORT

- 52 airlines worldwide now offer in-flight Wi-Fi in most regions of the globe

- Flyers have at least 'some' chance of Wi-Fi on 24 per cent of flights worldwide.

- U.S. airlines offer at least 'some' chance of Wi-Fi on 66 per cent of their flights nation wide 

- Non-U.S. airlines offering at least 'some' chance on 15 per cent of their international flights

- Nine non-U.S. airlines now offer at least a 'very good' chance of Wi-Fi 

- These include Japan, Emirates, Aeroflot, Iberia, Lufthansa, Singapore, Etihad, Norwegian, and Icelandair, with the latter two surpassing 80 per cent 

- Delta offers the most flights and flight miles with Wi-Fi of all airlines, by far

- United has most international planes with Wi-Fi and uniquely offers 'best' Wi-Fi 

- Virgin America, Alaska, United lead on offering both Wi-Fi and power on the same flights 

United Airlines, meanwhile, made the biggest improvement in adding internet connectivity to its flights. 

In 2013, United offered only offered 'some chance' of Wi-Fi on 518 U.S. domestic flights. Now, that number has increased by 179 per cent to 1,445 flights.

Among non-US airlines, there was a 'very good' chance of having Wi-Fi on 20 per cent or more of flights.

This includes flights with Japan, Emirates, Aeroflot, Iberia, Lufthansa, Singapore and Etihad.

The survey also found that all the busiest U.S. domestic routes, with 20 daily flights or more in each direction, have Wi-Fi availability on all flights.

Virgin America, Alaska, United lead on offering both Wi-Fi and power on the same flights 

The worst airlines to fly with for internet addicts is JetBlue or Southwest who have the greatest majority of flights with that offer no Wi-Fi or power.

'Wi-Fi is one of the most sought after, new amenities flyers want to access on their flights, and there has been significant investment by airlines since our last report,' Routehappy CEO Robert Albert said 

United Airlines made the biggest improvement in adding Wi-Fi. In 2013, United offered only offered 'some chance' of Wi-Fi on 518 U.S. domestic flights.Now, that number has increased by 179 per cent to 1,445 flights

United Airlines made the biggest improvement in adding Wi-Fi. In 2013, United offered only offered 'some chance' of Wi-Fi on 518 U.S. domestic flights.Now, that number has increased by 179 per cent to 1,445 flights

Virgin America, Alaska, United and American Airlines lead on offering both Wi-Fi and power on the same flights

Virgin America, Alaska, United and American Airlines lead on offering both Wi-Fi and power on the same flights

Among non-US airlines, there was a 'very good' chance of having Wi-Fi on 20 per cent or more of flights. This includes flights with Japan, Emirates, Aeroflot, Iberia, Lufthansa, Singapore and Etihad

Among non-US airlines, there was a 'very good' chance of having Wi-Fi on 20 per cent or more of flights. This includes flights with Japan, Emirates, Aeroflot, Iberia, Lufthansa, Singapore and Etihad

'Coverage is starting to be meaningful on flights worldwide, along with a wide variety of speeds, coverage availability, and pricing models, including free of charge.'

But customers can be stung by the price.

A study in October by Cheapflights.co.uk revealed that Middle Eastern carriers Emirates and Etihad are charging the lowest tariffs for inflight WiFi at around $2.60 and $4.70 per hour, respectively.

Of the 20 carriers included in the study, Turkish Airlines was the only one that does not charge a fee for wifi, while nine did not offer it at all. 

In November, a man said he was charged $1,171.46 on a Singapore Airlines flight, from London to Singapore, after he signed up for a $30 package. 

However, he quickly exceeded the 30-megabyte limit, which he said happened mostly while he was napping.

American/US offers

American/US offers 'better' Wi-Fi on its entire Airbus narrowbody fleet, which totals more than 300 aircraft

In November, a man said he was charged $1,171.46 on a Singapore Airlines flight, from London to Singapore, after he signed up for a $30 package (stock picture used)

In November, a man said he was charged $1,171.46 on a Singapore Airlines flight, from London to Singapore, after he signed up for a $30 package (stock picture used)



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