Cheapflights.co.uk clears the air on which airlines offer what methods of staying connected while in flight.

Flying has traditionally been a connectivity-free zone of rare solitude, out of the range of mobile phone masts – with electronic devices required to be switched off. However, technological advances and new guidelines from the European Aviation Safety Agency, now mean that travellers can stay connected while the world whizzes by with one of two options – onboard Wi-Fi or the use of inflight systems that allow passengers to connect to the ground with their own mobile plan, to use data and even make calls. But with different inflight costs and options for Wi-Fi – and discretion on use of mobiles down to the individual operators – which airlines offer what?  

To avoid disappointment next time you board a flight expecting to remain connected, Cheapflights.co.uk presents a wrap up of 20 airlines popular with UK passengers to see who offers what.

Despite 70%* of passengers stating that they would like to remain connected while inflight, barely more than half of the airlines selected (55%) currently offer it. For all but one airline (Turkish Airlines) this is also at a cost. Of these, Middle Eastern carriers Emirates and Etihad charged the lowest tariffs at $2.75 (approx. £1.71) and $5.00 (approx. £3.11) per hour respectively, while at the top end of the spectrum, Aer Lingus charges US$14.95 for a single hour (approx. £9.62).

For those that would prefer to use their own mobile phone plan, many airlines are now equipped with systems that connect you to mobile phone masts (via satellite) on the ground, once you clear 30,000ft – below is a list of those airlines which allow you to use your mobile inflight. However, before you start calling friends on the ground to while away a long-haul flight, be sure to check what your provider's international rates are as these can vary from cheaper-than-when-at-home through to the truly budget-breaking! 

Cheapflights.co.uk Travel Expert. Oonagh Shiel, said: “With new guidelines and technological advances, if you're a gadget obsessive, it's certainly worth checking out your options when it comes to using data and mobile services inflight. From our analysis, it seems that there are large discrepancies between airlines in terms of Wi-Fi costs on board; so if staying connected is important to you it's worth factoring into the costs of your flight.”

“Bear in mind that you'll need to obey the individual airline rules on mobile use – and it's worth researching mobile data costs with your operator before you go. Alternatively, you could sit back and enjoy a well-earned holiday from checking your phone or tablet – and have a digital detox.” 

Note: Prices given in $ are in US currency

*Cheapflights UK survey of 1,073 adults, August 2014

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For further information please contact:
Nick Wheywell / Stuart Fyfe / Sakhita Sharma / Kevan Barber
Rooster PR
E: Cheapflights@rooster.co.uk
T: +44 (0)20 3440 8930

About Cheapflights.co.uk, a part of the Momondo Group: “Let's Open our World.”

Momondo Group is an online travel media and technology company that is driven by the belief that an open world is a better world.  The group now serves travel search and inspiration to over 17.5 million visitors a month – plus 7 million travel newsletter subscribers – via its Cheapflights (http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/) and momondo (www.momondo.com) brands.

Skygate began the sourcing of complex air-travel data in 1992, whilst Cheapflights pioneered the online comparison of flight deals for users in 1996 and momondo launched meta-search in the Nordic countries from 2006. 

The Group has offices in London, Copenhagen, Boston and Toronto, with a consumer base across more than 25 core international markets and engaged travellers, explorers and holiday-makers all over the world.

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