Emirates Installing Wi-Fi Access Across Fleet

More than 200,000 passengers have used Emirates’ free onboard Wi-Fi since October, taking advantage of the airline’s service to connect with family, friends or colleagues when they fly.

On most Emirates A380s, passengers can access 10MBs of free data, enough to send emails, blog, tweet, post on Facebook, or browse the Internet.

Emirates currently offers Wi-Fi connectivity on 86 aircraft – on board all of its 56 Airbus A380s, as well as on 30 of its Boeing 777s. A program is also underway to install Wi-Fi capability across the rest of its fleet.

On 51 of Emirates’ A380s, the first 10MB of data is free, and a token $1 charge is levied for the next 500MB. On all other aircraft, getting online costs US$1 due to the current hardware and software installed.

Until Jan. 1, 2015, proceeds from these connection charges will be donated to the Emirates Airline Foundation to help improve quality of life for disadvantaged children around the world.