In November 2022, the European Commission introduced a groundbreaking change in airline regulations: passengers are no longer required to activate airplane mode during flights. This shift allows travelers to use their mobile phones as they normally would, even with a 5G network connection. While this new regulation has prompted questions about in-flight WiFi, many airlines offer paid WiFi services to passengers. But what about Ryanair, one of the world’s largest airlines?
Ryanair’s Remarkable Position
With a fleet of over 400 aircraft, Ryanair ranks among the top 10 largest airlines globally. This low-cost carrier has made air travel more accessible by democratizing ticket prices when the industry was characterized by high costs.
Despite its prominent position, Ryanair has faced criticism for various reasons, including charges for additional luggage, limited cabin space, and notably, the absence of in-flight WiFi. While competitors have introduced WiFi services for a fee, Ryanair has yet to follow suit, except for some past experiments.
No WiFi on Ryanair Flights
The Why: In a 2019 interview with the Sunday Business Post, Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, indicated that the company wasn’t considering in-flight WiFi at the time. O’Leary’s reasoning was that the income generated from offering such a service might not outweigh the substantial investment required to equip their extensive fleet with the necessary technology.
O’Leary emphasized that, at that time, Ryanair’s average flight duration was approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. Most passengers preferred to entertain themselves by streaming content they had downloaded before their flights, from platforms like Netflix. Given that the company was focused on reevaluating its ticket pricing strategy, the introduction of WiFi did not seem to offer clear benefits.
In response to customer complaints on social media about the lack of in-flight WiFi, Ryanair has maintained its characteristic communication style. This suggests that in-flight WiFi isn’t currently part of the airline’s plans.
Airlines with In-Flight WiFi
While Ryanair has taken a conservative stance on in-flight WiFi, other airlines have incorporated this technology with diverse approaches. Some carriers, such as Norwegian, Emirates Airlines, and Air France, offer WiFi for free to passengers. In contrast, airlines like Lufthansa and TAP Portugal provide in-flight WiFi with various payment options, depending on the services chosen.
For those with doubts about in-flight WiFi availability, it is recommended to contact the airline directly through official channels to obtain up-to-date information on the possibility of accessing WiFi during the flight and the associated costs.