
Gogo Inflight Internet is a game-changer for travelers. It provides high-speed internet access on flights, allowing you to stay connected with family and friends, check your email, and even stream your favorite shows.
Gogo's network covers over 2,000 aircraft and 40 airlines worldwide, making it one of the most widely available inflight internet services.
You can access Gogo's internet service on most domestic and international flights, with some exceptions for short-haul flights or flights operated by certain airlines.
Gogo's internet service typically costs between $10 and $50 per flight, depending on the airline and the length of your flight.
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Technologies and Infrastructure
Gogo uses a high-power EVDO Revision A connection with a theoretical max of 3.6Mbps downstream and 1.8Mbps upstream.
Aircell owns its own set of cell towers, with 92 in operation throughout North America, specifically designed for inflight use. Each tower operates within a roughly 350-mile radius.
The belly of the plane is equipped with a transceiver that feeds data to an onboard system, which then pipes everything out to an open Wi-Fi network.
Gogo claims there might be increased latency and potential network drops as the plane moves between cell towers or goes low enough before landing.
In-Flight Internet Providers
Gogo offers its in-flight internet services to a wide range of airlines.
Aeromexico is one of the airlines that utilize Gogo to provide Wi-Fi access for their passengers.
Air Canada and its subsidiary Air Canada Rouge also offer Gogo's in-flight internet service.
Air France takes advantage of Gogo's technology to keep its passengers connected during flights.
Alaska Airlines offers Gogo's in-flight internet to its passengers.
American Airlines provides Gogo's Wi-Fi access to its passengers.
British Airways offers Gogo's in-flight internet to its passengers.
Cathay Pacific uses Gogo's technology to provide in-flight internet access to its passengers.
Delta Air Lines offers Gogo's in-flight internet to its passengers.
GOL Airlines takes advantage of Gogo's technology to provide in-flight Wi-Fi access to its passengers.
Iberia offers Gogo's in-flight internet to its passengers.
Japan Airlines uses Gogo's technology to provide in-flight internet access to its passengers.
JTA also offers Gogo's in-flight internet service.
KLM uses Gogo's technology to provide in-flight Wi-Fi access to its passengers.
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LATAM offers Gogo's in-flight internet to its passengers.
Level provides Gogo's in-flight internet to its passengers.
Qatar Airways offers Gogo's in-flight internet to its passengers.
United Airlines takes advantage of Gogo's technology to provide in-flight Wi-Fi access to its passengers.
Virgin Atlantic offers Gogo's in-flight internet to its passengers.
Virgin Australia also uses Gogo's technology to provide in-flight internet access to its passengers.
Here's a list of some of the airlines that use Gogo's in-flight internet services:
- Aeromexico
- Air Canada
- Air France
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Delta Air Lines
- GOL Airlines
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- JTA
- KLM
- LATAM
- Level
- Qatar Airways
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Virgin Australia
Wi-Fi Reliability and Performance
Gogo's inflight network has improved significantly over the years, but Wi-Fi speeds can still be inconsistent.
Some planes are still outfitted with older air-to-ground (ATG) systems, which are significantly slower than Gogo's newer satellite system.
On planes with ATG systems, load speeds can become frustratingly slow if many people use Wi-Fi at the same time.
With Gogo's 2Ku satellite Wi-Fi, passengers can experience up to 20 times more bandwidth than the older ATG connection.
Gogo's older system doesn't cover the entire globe, so you may lose Wi-Fi during long-haul flights.
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Wi-Fi Reliability
Gogo's inflight network has improved significantly over the years, but Wi-Fi speeds remain inconsistent due to a mix of older and newer systems on planes.
On planes using the older air-to-ground (ATG) systems, load speeds can become frustratingly slow if many passengers use Wi-Fi at the same time.
Gogo's newer satellite system, 2Ku, offers up to 20 times more bandwidth than the older ATG connection, making it a vast improvement.
The older Gogo system doesn't cover the entire globe, and you might lose Wi-Fi on long-haul flights due to dead zones.
With Gogo 2Ku, you can expect a vastly improved network that covers much of the world.
Streaming Video
Streaming video on a flight can be a bit tricky. Unfortunately, if your flight is utilizing the ATG system, it is not possible to stream video.
The good news is that flights equipped with the newer 2Ku satellite system do support video streaming.
Free Wi-Fi on Flights
Free Wi-Fi on Flights is a game-changer for travelers. Unfortunately, it can be expensive, with Gogo's pricing plans showing that inflight Wi-Fi is not cheap.
Some credit cards offer a great benefit by providing free Gogo Wi-Fi passes as part of their perks. The UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card and the Crystal Visa Infinite Credit Card are two examples.
These credit cards offer 12 free Gogo Wi-Fi passes each, which can be used on both domestic and international flights. That's a significant savings, especially for frequent flyers.
If you're looking to get free Wi-Fi on your next flight, consider applying for one of these credit cards. Just be aware that they come with an annual fee of $495 for the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card and $400 for the Crystal Visa Infinite Credit Card.
Here are the details on these credit cards that offer free Gogo Wi-Fi passes:
Cost and Value
Gogo's pricing plans can be a bit steep, but there are some affordable options available. For example, the 1-Hour Pass costs just $7, while the All-Day Pass is $19. If you're a frequent traveler, purchasing a subscription plan might be a better value.
If you're looking for even more savings, consider using a credit card that offers free Gogo Wi-Fi passes as a perk. The UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card and the Crystal Visa Infinite Credit Card both offer 12 free passes, with annual fees of $495 and $400, respectively.
For a quick look at Gogo's pricing plans, check out the following table:
Cost
If you're looking to stay connected on a flight, you'll want to consider the cost of Gogo's inflight Wi-Fi. Gogo passes can be purchased prior to flights for participating airlines, which currently include Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
The cost of Gogo passes varies, but a 1-Hour Pass will set you back $7. You can also opt for an All-Day Pass for $19, which is a good option if you plan to stay online for an extended period.
If you travel regularly, you might be better off purchasing one of Gogo's subscription plans. These plans offer a more cost-effective option for frequent flyers.
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Here are some of Gogo's subscription plans:
Some credit cards offer Gogo Wi-Fi passes as a perk, which can be a great way to save money on inflight Wi-Fi. For example, the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card and the Crystal Visa Infinite Credit Card each offer 12 free Gogo passes, valid on domestic and international flights.
Is Inflight Wi-Fi Worth It?
Whether you'll find inflight Wi-Fi worth it depends on your travel style. Business travelers with tight deadlines might find internet access a must on all flights.
For leisure travelers on short flights, the price might be a deal-breaker. They might decide to read a book instead, and that's perfectly fine.
Ultimately, whether inflight Wi-Fi is worth it to you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Business Model Criticism
Gogo's business model has been criticized for making it difficult to cancel service.
The company uses a "roach motel"-type model that allows easy sign-up but requires human interaction to cancel.
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This can lead to infrequent flyers being billed in subsequent months for a service they don't intend to use.
Gogo's lack of monthly statements also means customers aren't alerted to recurring charges.
One way to avoid this is to opt for 1-hour or 24-hour passes, which don't incur a recurring charge.
However, even these limited-time services are harder to stop than to initiate.
Gogo claims that canceling service is as easy as signing up, but the sign-up process doesn't require human interaction.
To cancel, you'll need to engage in online chat, send email, or call via telephone.
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Safety and Benefits
Gogo Inflight Internet is designed with safety in mind, featuring a robust network architecture that ensures secure connections and protects against cyber threats.
The system uses encryption to safeguard your data, and its secure servers are located in the US, making it a reliable choice for online activities.
Gogo's internet service is also designed to minimize disruptions, with redundant systems in place to ensure continuous connectivity.
You can browse the internet, check email, and stream content with ease, all while staying connected to the ground through Gogo's reliable service.
Gogo's network is built to handle high volumes of traffic, making it a great option for travelers who want to stay connected on long flights.
With Gogo, you can enjoy a seamless online experience, even at high altitudes.
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Future Developments
Gogo's AVANCE 5G Platform and Global Broadband LEO System are soon to launch, with the 5G system expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The 5G chipset needed to enable 5G connectivity had to be redesigned due to a design issue, but the corrected chip is now in fabrication and is expected to be received by Gogo mid-2023.
Dealers have already placed orders for the 5G system and are installing the full 5G provisions today, with Gogo also publishing an installation manual to help dealers and MROs manage installs.
Gogo's 5G network was completed last year, and the company plans to expand it into Canada later this year.
Gogo announced plans to launch its 5G network in 2021 for regional and mainline commercial jets flying within the contiguous U.S. and Canada, providing fast and uninterrupted connectivity.
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The Experience
Gogo service costs either 10 or 13 dollars, depending on the length of your flight. Flights over 3 hours cost 13 dollars.
Getting setup is straightforward - connect to the Wi-Fi network, browse to any website, and you'll be redirected to a Gogo portal prompting you to create an account or sign in and pay up. I was the first to turn on my laptop before the flight, so I could test the connection with only me using it.
I ran a few speed tests, and the results were around 1.52 Mbps down and 0.28 Mbps up with a ping of 150ms. This allowed me to carry out a typical web browsing session without any frustrating delays.
I was able to load several YouTube videos, stream music from Hype Machine and iTunes radio, and even start a BitTorrent session and a Usenet download, but I didn't sustain any obnoxious downloads for too long.
The Experience

Connecting to Gogo's Wi-Fi network is a straightforward process. You simply need to browse to any website and get redirected to a Gogo portal, where you'll be prompted to create an account, sign in, and pay for the service.
I was able to connect to the network before others on my flight, so I ran a few speed tests to see how the service performed with minimal traffic. The results showed a download speed of around 1.52 Mbps and an upload speed of 0.28 Mbps, with a ping of 150ms.
You can expect to pay either $10 or $13 for Gogo service, depending on the length of your flight. This fee is charged regardless of whether you're the only one using the service or if there are multiple users on the same connection.
Gogo's service performed well during my test, allowing me to browse the web, stream music from Hype Machine and iTunes radio, and even load several YouTube videos without any issues.
NBA News Hour Examines Flight Crew Options

The NBA News Hour has been looking into the various options for flight crews, and it's clear that they're considering a few different scenarios.
Delta Air Lines has a fleet of over 800 aircraft, with a crew of around 30,000 employees, including pilots, flight attendants, and maintenance personnel.
The airline industry is highly regulated, with strict rules governing crew sizes, training, and rest periods.
Delta's pilots are required to have at least 1,500 hours of flight experience, with many having significantly more.
Flight attendants must complete a rigorous training program that includes emergency procedures, first aid, and customer service skills.
The airline's maintenance personnel are responsible for ensuring the safety of each aircraft, with many holding certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
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