A video: “Why Wi-Fi On Airplanes Is So Bad”

Here is a summary by Merlin app: 

In-flight Wi-Fi is often unreliable and expensive. Airlines are updating their fleets to provide better Wi-Fi, but it is challenging and costly.

00:01 Wi-fi on airplanes can be unreliable and pricey

01:35 Improving Wi-Fi connectivity on airplanes

03:02 More airlines are switching to satellite-based Internet

04:39 Picking the right provider is a gamble for airlines

06:15 Airlines are facing challenges in meeting the increased demand for in-flight Wi-Fi and entertainment.

07:41 Wi-Fi availability on planes varies by airline and can range from free to paid.

09:13 Delta plans to retrofit its entire fleet with free Wi-Fi by 2024

10:50 The regional jet world is the last frontier for getting decent performance in Wi-Fi.

Detailed Summary for Why Wi-Fi On Airplanes Is So Bad by Merlin

00:01 Wi-fi on airplanes can be unreliable and pricey
– Some airlines charge for Wi-fi, with mixed results
– Delta offers free Wi-fi, while others charge varying amounts
– Improving in-flight Wi-fi is a complex challenge for airlines

01:35 Improving Wi-Fi connectivity on airplanes
– Demand for internet on airplanes has increased in the past decade.
– Delta is updating over 1200 planes to improve Wi-Fi.
– Cellular technology was initially used, but it had limitations.
– Satellite technology provides a broader and uninterrupted view for better connectivity.

03:02 More airlines are switching to satellite-based Internet
– Satellite capacity has increased in the past few years to support large volume of traffic
– Passengers connect their devices to wireless access points on the plane, which are connected to a server/modem
– The modem communicates with the antenna on the aircraft, which then communicates with the satellite and ground stations
– Satellite technology has improved to ensure accurate and reliable connections
– The satellite internet industry is a $7.9 billion market with key players like Viasat, Panasonic Avionics, Inmarsat, Intelsat, and SpaceX/StarLink

04:39 Picking the right provider is a gamble for airlines
– Airlines have to consider available services and capacity
– Airlines need to plan for future system requirements

06:15 Airlines are facing challenges in meeting the increased demand for in-flight Wi-Fi and entertainment.
– Systems often lack sufficient capacity to serve the demand.
– It’s not that the systems are broken, they just ran out of bandwidth.
– Airlines now need to supply internet access to the entire plane, leading to a significant increase in demand.
– The need for more bandwidth requires aircraft, especially older ones, to be upgraded.

07:41 Wi-Fi availability on planes varies by airline and can range from free to paid.
– Most airlines offer free messaging but charge for Wi-Fi.
– Some airlines, like Delta and JetBlue, offer free Wi-Fi, while others don’t offer it at all.
– There is a growing trend of airlines investing in Wi-Fi aggressively.
– Some airlines, like Frontier and Allegiant, currently do not offer Wi-Fi on their planes.
– ViaSat was chosen as the provider for free Wi-Fi after extensive testing and evaluation.
– The commercial aviation segment is experiencing rapid growth in Wi-Fi adoption.
– A behind the scenes look at a 737 Wi-Fi system being upgraded at Delta’s tech ops center.
– The Wi-Fi system includes antennas, servers, modems, and wireless access points to distribute Wi-Fi to passengers.

09:13 Delta plans to retrofit its entire fleet with free Wi-Fi by 2024
– Delta believes offering free Wi-Fi will attract more loyal customers and has already gained 100,000 new SkyMiles members
– Other airlines like Jetblue, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines also offer free Wi-Fi
– Hawaiian Airlines and Singapore Airlines will soon provide free Wi-Fi on select flights
– The profitability of offering free Wi-Fi is still uncertain for airlines

10:50 The regional jet world is the last frontier for getting decent performance in Wi-Fi.
– The current air to ground system doesn’t have enough spectrum available.
– But starting early next year, that will change.
– Delta and other airlines are investing in Wi-Fi to increase competition.
– With more satellites being put into orbit, the systems can handle the demand.
– The challenge is getting people to trust that it works and is reliable.
– The bottleneck is the satellite itself, but solving that problem will make the system work.