Global Wi-Fi connectivity on airlines increased to 43
percent of available seat miles offering at least a chance of Wi-Fi, up from 39
percent a year ago, according to Routehappy's 2018 Wi-Fi Report. That includes
86 percent of available seat miles on U.S. carriers and 32 percent on those
outside the U.S.
In total, 82 airlines around the world offer Wi-Fi, 12 more
than in the 2017 report. Only three carriers offer Wi-Fi on all
flights—Southwest, Virgin Atlantic and Icelandair—and 13 have it on all
long-haul flights.
Wi-Fi quality also is improving, with 16 percent of
available seat miles around the world offering what Routehappy calls Best
Wi-Fi, designating speeds capable of advanced media streaming. The coverage is more
than double the percentage in 2017.
"The 129 percent growth of Best Wi-Fi is extraordinary,"
Routehappy CEO Robert Albert said in a statement. "We expect to see this
number increase even more in 2018."
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Routehappy's 2017 Wi-Fi Report