KLM starts Wi-Fi on short haul

KLM has begun installing Wi-Fi on a number of its Boeing 737 aircraft

The Dutch airline is installing the Wi-Fi on eighteen Boeing 737-800s. The first Wi-Fi equipped aircraft is now operating.

Passengers use their own devices to directly connect to the internet via California-based Viasat’s European satellite.

Price

KLM offers a choice of three internet packages: Messaging, Surf and Stream.

Messaging allows passengers to send and receive messages via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, etc., free of charge.

Those who want to use more data can pay for either Surf or Stream. Passengers who want to watch movies should choose Stream, while Surf offers enough data for those who just want to shop online or read news articles.

Passengers can purchase the Internet packages via the KLM Portal during their flight.

KLM Portal

The KLM Portal provides access not only to the Internet, but also to upgrades for connecting and return flights; service in the event of delays and cancellations; and services offered by their travel partners, such as booking excursions. This offers the passenger greater flexibility and control over their journey.

For example, a passenger at risk of missing their connection due to a delay can rebook their next flight to one with a later departure time via the KLM Portal. And an Economy Class passenger who wants to fly Economy Comfort on the return trip can book and pay for the upgrade on the way to their destination (if availability permits).

After connecting to the Wi-Fi network on board, a passenger will not only be able to access all functionalities of the KLM Portal, but will be able to use the KLM app and KLM.com at no charge as well.

The Portal is the same on every aircraft, meaning passengers will have a consistent user experience no matter where they are.

Wi-Fi on all intercontinental aircraft in 2022

KLM already offers Wi-Fi on board the Boeing 787 and Airbus A330 fleets and is currently installing it on the Boeing 777 aircraft. As it stands now, 81 per cent of the intercontinental fleet is equipped with an Internet connection. Passengers are expected to have Internet access on board all intercontinental aircraft by the first quarter of 2022.

KLM and its partner, Air France, signed a deal for Wi-fi on 124 long haul aircraft in September 2016.

N.B. Image credit: KLM

Internet links

KLM (KL)

Viasat