How In-flight Internet Works?

Discover how in-flight internet works! Learn about the technology behind Wi-Fi on airplanes, including satellite connections and air-to-ground systems, keeping you connected at 30,000 feet.

Air India has announced the rollout of Wi-Fi Internet connectivity services on select domestic and international flights. It is the 1st Indian airline to offer Internet connectivity on domestic flights.

Technologies Behind In-Flight Wi-Fi

Air-to-Ground (ATG) Technology

Uses cellular towers on the ground.
Signals are picked up by an antenna beneath the aircraft.
Limitations: Connectivity may be interrupted over large water bodies or unpopulated areas without towers.

Satellite-Based Connectivity

Relays signals between ground stations and satellites via an antenna on the aircraft’s body.
Offers wider coverage, especially useful over remote areas without cellular towers.

Process

Signals from passengers’ devices are picked up by in-cabin Wi-Fi antennas.
These signals are routed to an on-board server.
From the server, signals are transmitted to either satellites (for satellite-based connectivity) or ground towers (for ATG).
Aircrafts that offer Wi-Fi: Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321neo.

Challenges

Installing Wi-Fi antennae involves significant costs. Air India is undergoing a $400-million retrofit programme to upgrade its older planes with Wi-Fi hardware.
In-flight Wi-Fi is slower than ground-based Internet.