Passengers on U.S. airlines have reported noticeably slower inflight Wi‑Fi, even as carriers promote the service as fast and complimentary.
The slowdown coincides with a surge in onboard device usage, as travelers stream video, browse social media, and connect multiple gadgets during flights.
Viasat, a primary Wi‑Fi supplier for major carriers, has acknowledged capacity constraints stemming from a satellite launched in 2023 that failed to deliver the expected data throughput.
The company’s aviation president explained that the satellite’s limited capacity created a short‑term shortfall, reducing the bandwidth available to airlines and their passengers.
Frequent flyers have voiced frustration, noting that the previously reliable service now feels unreliable and, in some cases, unusable.
Viasat plans to deploy a new satellite in April that will double its data capacity, with the system expected to become operational by the end of the summer.
One airline confirmed enthusiasm for the upcoming upgrades, indicating that expanded service across the region should begin in August.
Long‑haul routes have experienced more severe connectivity issues, particularly on aircraft equipped with older Panasonic systems serving transoceanic flights for two major carriers.
Passengers have reported near‑total service loss on flights from the United States to Europe and Asia, describing the connection as “horribly slow and unreliable.”
Panasonic declined to comment on the recent outages, stating only that it is developing next‑generation satellite technology to meet future passenger expectations.
The affected airline said it is actively discussing solutions with Panasonic to address the performance problems.
In response to the broader challenges, United, Alaska, and Southwest are upgrading their fleets with Starlink satellite technology, which currently offers the fastest inflight internet available.
Additional carriers have announced plans to introduce similar satellite‑based services in the coming years, aiming to replace older systems.
Viasat also outlined longer‑term improvements that will further enhance its Wi‑Fi offerings beyond the imminent satellite launch.
Travelers are advised to anticipate intermittent connectivity and to download entertainment or work materials before departure as a precaution.
While inflight internet capabilities are advancing, the transition remains ongoing, and service quality may vary across airlines and routes.
