We’ve seen a development recently whereby extra airways have made free Wi-Fi obtainable for extra passengers. Japanese Star Alliance service All Nippon Airways (ANA) is the most recent airline to introduce free inflight connectivity…
ANA provides free Wi-Fi in enterprise class as of summer time 2024
As of the summer time of 2024, ANA will start providing free Wi-Fi for enterprise class passengers on worldwide flights. That is one thing that has been obtainable to first-class passengers for fairly a while, so it’s good to see this prolonged to enterprise class as nicely.
Since ANA’s Wi-Fi service on most jets not has knowledge limits, I’d assume that this new perk provide limitless free Wi-Fi, with out knowledge caps. Traditionally, Wi-Fi on an extended haul flight has price a bit over $20.
Be aware that there are two restrictions in relation to this chance:
- Free Wi-Fi gained’t be obtainable on ANA’s fleet of six Boeing 767-300ERs; it’s because inflight connectivity is being suspended as of Could 31, 2024, as a result of withdrawal of the inflight connectivity provider, SITA, from the enterprise
- Free Wi-Fi gained’t initially be obtainable on ANA’s fleet of three Boeing 777-300ERs not that includes new cabins; that’s as a result of these planes shall be getting a brand new inflight connectivity provider, and it will likely be launched “as quickly as it’s prepared” (which hopefully means the remaining three planes shall be reconfigured with new cabins within the close to future)
ANA provides free texting in premium economic system & economic system as of March 2025
There’s excellent news for non-first and enterprise class passengers as nicely, although some persistence shall be required. As of March 2025, ANA will start providing free inflight texting to premium economic system and economic system passengers on worldwide flights.
It’s not totally clear but which apps and companies shall be obtainable with this free texting plan, although the press launch states that “texting refers to sending and receiving of textual content messages through social media, e-mail, and many others.” Having the ability to ship emails with complimentary inflight texting truly sounds higher than I might have anticipated.
Whereas inferior to limitless free Wi-Fi, that is nonetheless a pleasant strategy to keep in contact with family members and pals whereas inflight.
Backside line
All Nippon Airways is making inflight connectivity free for extra passengers. As of the summer time of 2024, we’ll see enterprise class passengers on worldwide flights get free Wi-Fi, after which as of March 2025, we’ll see premium economic system and economic system passengers on worldwide flights get free messaging.
It’s good to see the development towards extra airways providing inflight connectivity without charge, so that is an enchancment to the passenger expertise. Hopefully oneworld rival Japan Airways matches this transfer on ANA’s half.
What do you make of ANA’s inflight connectivity adjustments?
