Price differences of up to around 60 euros are due when using mobile WiFi on the plane: In a comparison, the language learning platform Preply determined which airlines are best suited for surfing, working and learning and where passengers can save the most. For this purpose, the tariffs and the duration of use of the internet offers of over 35 airlines were recorded and compared.

Internet use is the most expensive for these airlines

The most expensive are the offers for the use of the Internet at Delta Air Lines. Air travelers pay the equivalent of 45,47 euros for domestic flights and 63,67 euros for international flights to use the mobile WLAN in the subscription model, which is particularly worthwhile for frequent flyers. Passengers with the airline Swiss International Air Lines also have to dig deep into their pockets: Here the most expensive tariff is 59,86 euros. Just behind is American Airlines, where fees for mobile Internet use amount to a maximum of 54,23 euros for a subscription of two months. Air Canada and Air Europa complimented the top 5 most expensive in-flight internet offers with maximum prices of 44,07 euros and 35 euros respectively.

Air China, Jet Blue and NokAir: These are the cheapest airlines

How big the differences are in the fees and terms of use for WiFi above the clouds becomes particularly clear when considering the cheapest offers. Internet use is free of charge for three of the airlines examined. Air China, JetBlue and NokAir passengers can surf the web completely free of charge. While the airline Vueling only charges 5,99 euros for the use of the wireless connection, Norwegian Air charges a fee of only 15 euros for the entire flight after free internet use for 8 minutes. With the airline Eurowings, passengers surf the entire duration of the flight for 9,90 euros. Some airlines also offer free use for their members. These include Etihad Airways, Emirates, Iberia, Singapore Airlines, Icelandair, Scandinavian Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Possible restrictions and tariffs for mobile WiFi above the clouds

In addition to unstable Internet connection due to turbulence or weather conditions, Wi-Fi users on board aircraft may also face restrictions imposed by the airline: Air China, for example, offers free Internet access but bans it on smartphones and restricts access to some websites.

Almost all airlines have several tariffs with different data volumes and prices for mobile WiFi. The leader is the airline Turkish Airlines, where five different tariffs can be selected. Depending on the flight, the prices vary from a minimum of 4,53 euros to a maximum of 31,72 euros. In addition, Tap Air Portugal offers four fare options, with messaging for Business Class travelers even being free. Swiss International Airlines, ITA Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Aer Lingus and Aeroflot also offer four different fares. On average, three different fares are offered by the airlines.

TUIFly and Co. – These airlines do not offer any WiFi on the plane

Six of the airlines examined do not offer the option of a WLAN connection. Electrical devices must either be turned off or set to flight mode during use. The restrictions are justified with security reasons. On a flight without WiFi, travelers have to register with TUIFly, SunExpress, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Wizz Air and Czech Airlines.

How the airlines are upgrading to soon be able to offer even better internet

In addition, some airlines are currently upgrading for even faster and better WiFi on board. For example, the Haiwaian Airline secured Starlink antennas in order to be able to use satellite internet for long-haul flights in the future.

Dorothee Monschau, Head of Brand at Preply, comments on the WLAN check in the airlines as follows: “There is hardly a better place to exchange language and culture with your seat neighbor than on an international flight. A WLAN connection during the flight is very useful to prepare for your stay in the holiday country or to do important work as a business traveler. As a language learning platform, we welcome the developments in the field of mobile internet because language learning should be possible anytime and anywhere.”