 "Wi-Fi is available on Air India’s Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9, and select Airbus A321neo aircraft. Image courtesy: Pixabay/Representational")
Air India has become the first airline to introduce in-flight Wi-Fi internet connectivity on domestic routes in India.
The private carrier said in a statement that in-flight Wi-Fi services would be available on all flights operated by Air India’s A350, B787-9, and select A321neo aircraft.
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The Wi-Fi service, offered by the Tata-owned airline, is accessible on both iOS and Android devices, as well as laptops and tablets.
With in-flight internet allowing passengers to connect with loved ones, work remotely, or stream entertainment, we take a look into the technology that makes staying online at 35,000 feet a reality.
How do airlines provide internet access?
Ever wondered how Wi-Fi works thousands of feet above the ground? Airlines use two main technologies to offer in-flight internet: air-to-ground and satellite-based Wi-Fi.
Air-to-ground Wi-Fi
In the air-to-ground system, an antenna on the aircraft picks up signals from ground towers.
The towers project signals upwards, and the aircraft’s antenna, normally mounted beneath the plane, maintains a seamless connection as long as the aircraft remains within range of the towers.
However, this method has limitations. Just like cellphone signals, connectivity depends on tower density and coverage. Flights over rural areas, deserts, or large water bodies may experience drops in connectivity, CNN said in a report.
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Satellite-based Wi-Fi
Satellite-based Wi-Fi, now more widely used, transmits internet signals from ground stations to satellites, which then relay them to the aircraft. Antennae on top of the aircraft receive these signals, offering broader coverage, especially over areas lacking ground towers.
Once the aircraft reaches an altitude of 3,000 metres, the on-board antenna switches to satellite-based services.
The signal is distributed to passengers’ devices through an on-board router connected to the aircraft’s antenna.
Despite the convenience, in-flight Wi-Fi remains slower compared to ground-based connections. Current satellite systems provide speeds of around 100 megabits per second per aircraft, translating to roughly 15 megabits per second per passenger - much slower than terrestrial Wi-Fi, according to CNN.
Notably, airlines often use a mix of Wi-Fi providers and technologies tailored to specific aircraft and routes to ensure the best possible coverage for passengers across different regions.
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How expensive is this service?
Providing in-flight Wi-Fi comes at a high initial cost for airlines, particularly due to the need to install antennas on aircraft.
Some airlines believe it is more cost-effective to equip new planes with the necessary hardware rather than retrofitting older ones and taking them out of service.
For Air India, which is already investing $400 million in retrofitting its narrow-body fleet, adding internet connectivity equipment to its older planes could be a natural part of this process. Notably, the airline’s current Wi-Fi offerings are mainly on newer aircraft, which already come with the necessary technology, according to The Economic Times.
Across the world, many airlines provide limited free Wi-Fi before asking passengers to purchase data packs, which can be expensive. Some carriers offer limited or unlimited access to frequent flyer members, or business and first-class passengers.
For now, Air India is offering free Wi-Fi for a limited time as part of an introductory offer, though the airline has not yet specified when it will begin charging for the service.
Which Air India planes offer in-flight Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is available on Air India’s Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9, and select Airbus A321neo aircraft.
The airline had previously conducted a pilot program offering internet connectivity on international routes with these aircraft types, including flights to destinations like New York, London, Paris, and Singapore.
The aircraft used for this service, apart from the new A350s, are understood to be those formerly operated by Vistara, which merged with Air India in November. These planes are already equipped with the necessary technology for in-flight Wi-Fi. Before the merger, Vistara had offered internet on select international flights.
On Vistara aircraft, the service was provided by Nelco, a Tata Group company, in partnership with Panasonic Avionics Corporation. This service is now being extended to Air India’s domestic flights, according to The Indian Express.
Why using mobile data is not allowed on flights?
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, mobile phones can interfere with aircraft equipment and disrupt the pilot’s headset communications.
Research has shown that the radio waves emitted by mobile devices can affect navigation and radar systems, ground control communication, and even collision avoidance technologies.
Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner’s travel expert, told Conde Nast that while most mobile phones emit weak radio waves, other electronic devices like Kindles, iPods, laptops, and handheld gaming consoles also release radio waves, especially in a confined space.
Are phone calls allowed in flights?
In 2022, Europe approved the use of phone calls and data during flights, with European airlines introducing 5G onboard by 2023. This advancement allows passengers to make calls and send texts while in the air.
Notably, the European Union allocated specific frequencies (4.2–4.4 GHz) for in-flight 5G, distinct from land-based 5G (3.4–3.8 GHz), to ensure no interference with aircraft systems.
The EU regulations also require the installation of “picocells” on planes, devices that manage phone signals to prevent disruptions to aviation communication systems.
How to avail Air India’s Wi-Fi?
Passengers can access Air India’s in-flight Wi-Fi by following these steps:
Turn on Wi-Fi on your device and open Wi-Fi settings
Choose the ‘Air India Wi-Fi’ network
Once redirected to the Air India portal, enter your PNR and last name
What we know about Air India’s Wifi service
Air India’s in-flight Wi-Fi is available on Wi-Fi-enabled devices with iOS or Android operating systems. It allows guests to connect multiple devices simultaneously when flying above 10,000 feet, according to the airline.
Rajesh Dogra, Air India’s Chief Customer Experience Officer, said, “Connectivity is now an integral part of modern travel. For some, it is about the convenience and comfort of real-time sharing, while for others, it is about greater productivity and efficiency.”
“Whatever one’s purpose, we are confident that our guests will appreciate having the option of connecting to the web and enjoy the new Air India experience on board these aircraft.”
With inputs from agencies