BA long-haul wi-fi switch-on

High-speed inflight internet on selected international services is now online with British Airways, with domestic and European flights to follow by the end of the year, at prices ranging from £4.99 to £14.99.

The Boeing B747 fleet is being fitted with the satellite-based service, followed by the Airbus A380 superjumbos jets, B777s and B787 Dreamliners, plus the new Airbus A350s, which will begin flying in 2019 with the upgraded Club World seats.

While per-flight fees for the service were announced last week, CEO Alex Cruz said a monthly subscription was “something we are thinking about”, and that “ultimately you should be able to pay for wi-fi with your Avios”.

BA’s international flights will use 2Ku technology from Gogo which is capable of supplying 70Mbps per plane, although that signal must then be shared among all passengers and devices.

Inflight wi-fi on flights across the UK and Europe will rely on a network of ground-based 4G base stations and Inmarsat's Europasat high-speed communications satellite.

Nine-tenths of the BA fleet is expected to be equipped by the end of 2019. The airline so far has one B747 fitted, with a second due to be fitted in July. An hour’s access costs from £4.99/US$6, 4hrs from £10.99/$12.99 and a full-flight pass from £14.99/$17.99. 

www.britishairways.com

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