In-flight connectivity systems are currently much more common on larger aircraft than on private and small business jets. This is mainly due to the weight of the equipment and the operational costs of implementing and maintaining the system. Commercial jets and widebody aircraft are much more likely to have onboard WiFi as they have the infrastructure and funding to equip their fleets.

Access to In-flight WiFi is equally important for private jet passengers. Many target customers for private flights are professionals and early-tech adopters who require constant connectivity. Corporate travelers and executives also rely on taking meetings, staying connected to colleagues, and working remotely to maximize their travel time.

What kind of connections are available?

There are two main types of in-flight WiFi currently available. The majority of domestic flights, especially in the United States, use air-to-ground systems, which only work while flying over land. The alternative for oceanic or international flights is satellite-based internet. There are differences between the two systems, including speed, bandwidth, and reliability. Typical ground-to-air speeds range from around 3 to 10 Mbps, while satellite systems for aircraft now offer between 30Mbps and 100Mbps.

Two passengers and a flight attendant onboard a Global 7500.
Photo: Bombardier

Ground-based systems operate much like traditional cell phones. An antenna is installed on the base of the aircraft fuselage, which is able to receive signals from towers on the ground. The aircraft then picks up the network from the cell towers it flies over and retransmits that signal to customers via WiFi points installed behind the cabin wall along the fuselage.

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Satelite-based internet is often the preferred option on private jets as it allows for higher speeds and increased bandwidth and is reliable over oceans and foreign nations. There are two primary types of satellite internet, Ku-band, and Ka-band. Ku-band (which stands for 'K-under') operates in the 12-18GHz frequency range and features speeds of at least 3.0 Mbps, reaching up to 12. This speed is adequate for emailing, light work tasks, and messaging.

A Bombardier Global 5500 flying above mountains.
Photo: Bombardier

The faster of the two, 'Ka-band' (Kurtz-above), operates on higher frequencies of 26.5 to 40 GHz. This speed allows for internet browsing and streaming high-definition movies and comes with enough bandwidth for multiple team members to work simultaneously.

How much does it cost?

Operators of private jets are still likely to charge extra for onboard WiFi. This is often charged by the megabyte, which can lead to a significant charge if the network is used for data-intensive tasks like video calling and streaming. Data on domestic flights which use ground-to-air technology is often included as the aircraft operator faces lower ongoing network fees.

International flights still rely on satellite-based internet, which is charged at a higher rate based on the operator and region. Costs for internet access generally range from $3.00 – $8.50 per megabyte. Typical usage of emails or general browsing would lead to a smaller bill, while tasks like watching a film or video conference burn data much faster. WiFi costs on a flight from Europe to the United States can range from $300 to $6,000.

A Bombardier Global 7500 flying in the sky.
Photo: Bombardier

For operators, the provider Gogo is currently the only company offering an unlimited in-flight WiFi plan in the US. The 4G plan is around $5,000 monthly, doubling if streaming is included. In contrast, the equivalent 5G plan at the price point only comes with 10GB of data. Other providers are still entering the field to increase competition.

Starlink announced last year that it would provide aircraft with internet up to 350 Mbps with plenty of bandwidth. Such service comes at a high cost, though. The hardware kit is expected to cost $150,000 per aircraft, with continuing connectivity fees of $12,500 and $25,000 per month.

Source: Reuters