Norwegian was the first airline that really got me online in the air, and I was pleasantly surprised. In my experience their onboard WiFi was well ahead of airlines like Air France or British Airways. Services change over time, so check what your flight offers before you rely on it.
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Update 2026: I tested Norwegian WiFi in 2014, when it was free and unlimited. That is no longer true. Today Norwegian gives 15 minutes of free WiFi at limited speed, enough for email. For streaming you buy a paid package for 30 to 60 minutes or for the whole flight. WiFi works only on selected flights in Europe with Boeing 737-800 planes, not on the 737 MAX 8. You can check if your flight has WiFi two days before departure on the Norwegian website.
To connect to the internet via WiFi (wireless connection) is possible almost everywhere nowadays. In public transportation, every cafe or restaurant. Lately there is a possibility to stay online even on board of planes, which is appreciated on flights longer than one hour. Few weeks ago, I got on the board of a plane where a WiFi connection was available and I was pleasantly surprised and got used to it very quickly.
Can you use your phone on a plane?
Like smoking on board, even a cell phone turned off during the flight is a thing of last century (last year I flew with old plane of ČSA and there were ashtrays built-in seats) Those, who are little bit interested in aviation, they did not miss a information, that using cell phones is not dangerous in terms of interference and many airlines offer their customers a phone calls to make for their own prices. I have tried to make a call on board KLM’s flight from Amsterdam to New York, you will get connected from 12 thousand miles above the sea level, thousands miles far from home, but you will get charged to it, of course more than usual. In 2014 you were not allowed to use electronic devices during take off and landing. Today EASA lets airlines allow phones in flight mode during the whole flight, including take off and landing, so follow the rules of your airline and the crew. You are required to be fully considered in case of unlikely events like evacuation or emergency landing. On the other hand, cell phones may burden roaming network, since they try to connect to more antennas. So in case that someone on the seat next to you will be in the middle of phone call during the take off (as happened to me on flight from Tallinn to Riga) do not blame them for the plane crash that may happen, it is not because that calling lady. The computers are so well developed, that cell phones will not cause the crash. And with telephony, there also comes wireless connection to the internet, that was in the Europe only the mater of time. In US, to connect to the network during your flight is more-less usual thing. There are plenty of airlines that offer connection, some for charge, the others for free.
Testing Norwegian WiFi on a flight to Oslo
During my flight from the airport in Tallinn to Oslo with Norwegian airlines, I had an opportunity to try internet connection. This airline is proud to be first in Europe, that will get you online in the skies on selected flights. Its primacy is presented by airline pretty often, but you will get online only in new machines. WiFi is available few minutes after take off, when seat belt sign is switched off. You may be informed by crew about this availability, but it is not rule. By the March 2014, there are online 74 Boeings 737-800 (1) what is respectable number. Today you can check on the Norwegian website, from two days before departure, if your flight has WiFi.
To connect is pretty simple. Just switch your WiFi receiver on and you will get connected. In 2014 you then opened any webpage and accepted the terms. Today you connect to the network ‚Norwegian Internet Access‘, open norwegianwifi.com and choose a package. By clicking on planes picture above, you will see, what Norwegian offers. On my 2014 flight the connection was pretty fast and the signal was excellent. I have tried skype as well, and it worked better than on the ground. Sound was clear and screen wasn’t blurry. You can use wide offer of on-board entertainment, turn on TV if you are connected with computer, or select a random movie to watch. Curious will appreciate „flight tracker“ which displays current position of aircraft, time to destination and local time in destination. You can use other websites as well, the work properly. I have tried Facebook and YouTube and they don’t seem to be loaded with any problems.
Norwegian vs. Air France, British Airways and KLM
Internet on board of this Norwegian’s flight has pleasantly surprised me and I congratulate to this airline to be first in Europe. What was the most important, in 2014 this connection was completely free and unlimited. Today only the first 15 minutes are free, at limited speed, and faster internet costs extra. The funny thing is, that this low cost airlines is in this further than that big fishes as Air France or British Airways or KLM, hat have connection as well, but only in limited form. In 2014 KLM had connected only one Boeing 777 and Air France charged 10,95 EUR per hour of connection (2).According to Air France video (3) to get plane connected, it is necessary to insert an antenna in the front of aircraft and cables along the whole cabin. It is easy to understand, that old planes are not online, because it takes a lot of time re-open and old plane and insert cables and antenna. Time is money, would do it?
I find connection to the internet during the flight as a very useful tool in 21st century. Now, when everyone has smartphone or tablet, it makes it very easy to answer mails, private messages or get connected with family. I believe, that Norwegian will get connected all it’s flights soon and the other airlines will do the same. In the competitive struggle, Norwegian airlines is very far now and airlines as Air France or British Airways have a long way to go to get as good,as Norwegian is now in on board connection. Norwegian airlines wifi was great surprise!
Milan Bardún 2014
1. WiFi on board, Norwegian.
2. Air France and KLM launch Wi-Fi by-the-hour or flight — and it isn’t cheap
3. Air France and KLM launch inflight Wi-Fi
Travel bloger, ktorý od roku 2013 trhá Slovákov z kancelárskych stoličiek. Autor knihy Influencer a zakladateľ blogu Bez Mapy.
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