Air India Rolls Out 'Complimentary' WiFi Internet For Domestic Flights

The Tata Group-controlled Air India on Wednesday announced the roll-out of WiFi internet services on domestic flights after offering the service on select international routes on a pilot basis.

The in-flight internet connectivity would be available on the Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9, and select Airbus A321neo aircraft, the airline said in a release.

This makes Air India the "first to offer in-flight WiFi internet connectivity on flights within India," the erstwhile national carrier claimed.

WiFi connectivity on domestic flights will be "complimentary for an introductory period," Air India said, while noting that it will progressively roll out the service on other aircraft in its fleet over time.

The deployment of WiFi on domestic routes follows an "ongoing pilot program on international services" operated by the Airbus A350, select Airbus A321 neo, and Boeing B787-9 aircraft serving international destinations including New York, London, Paris, and Singapore, the airline noted.

However, the in-flight internet accessibility depends on factors such as satellite connectivity, overall bandwidth usage, routes, and government restrictions, it noted.

“Connectivity is now an integral part of modern travel. For some, it is about the convenience and comfort of real-time sharing, while for others, it is about greater productivity and efficiency. Whatever one's purpose, we are confident that our guests will appreciate having the option of connecting to the web and enjoy the new Air India experience on board these aircraft,” said Rajesh Dogra, chief customer experience officer at Air India.

Air India, in its release, also explained how passengers could access the WiFi service onboard. They need to go to the WiFi settings on their device and select the Air India WiFi network, it said. "Once redirected to the Air India portal on the default browser of the device, enter the required details such as PNR and last name," it added.