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Will all Alaska Airlines flights have Wi-Fi?

Our plan is to offer Wi-Fi on every flight. Check back often to find out how many aircraft have Wi-Fi installed.

Will my flight have Wi-Fi?

You will know an aircraft has Wi-Fi onboard when you see a special mark near the boarding door on the side of the airplane.

How soon can I start using it? Can I use it while I'm on the ground waiting to take off or do I have to wait until I'm in the air?

You can only use the system above 10,000 feet, when the flight attendant says it's available.

What type of equipment do I need to have to use Wi-Fi?

You need a battery-powered device that can connect to a network using 802.11b/g/n (broadband) protocol, commonly known as Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi enabled devices may include, laptop computers, Blackberry, Palm, and iPhone devices, etc. If your device is able to connect to wireless service at your local coffee shop or at a hotel, you should be able to connect on our aircraft. If you don't know whether or not your device can use Wi-Fi, contact your device manufacturer for details.

How do I get connected? Will the flight attendant be able to help me connect?

Since each device is different, we cannot provide detailed connection instructions either in this FAQ or onboard the aircraft so please read the documentation that came with your device prior to flight. We will have brief descriptions regarding how to log on inside the Alaska Airlines Inflight Magazine and in a seatback Wi-Fi card. In most cases, simply open a browser on your device to get started.

Will I need my own power supply?

All devices brought onboard need to run off battery power. Our aircraft do not have supplemental power for this purpose.

What is the connection speed?

The connection speed varies depending on aircraft location, the number of passengers using the system and how they are using the system.

Is the Wi-Fi connection secure or encrypted? Which wireless protocol is used?

Like all other Internet service providers, the security of your connection is dependent on the websites you choose to visit. The connection itself is not encrypted so you don't have to enter a security key to use it.

Is there a time limit or bandwidth limit? Can I stream video or audio over this connection? Can I download things while using this service?

The only time limit on a flight is the 10,000 foot indicator-below that point electronic devices are not allowed to be turned on, and the Wi-Fi system will not be available. Bandwidth limitations depend on the number of users simultaneously connected and how much bandwidth they are using. Generally speaking, you will be able to receive streaming video and audio or download files.

Do you allow VPN connections? Do you block any ports that I may use (SMTP, telnet, RDP, Peer to Peer?)

We only block VoIP (voice communications); all other ports remain open.

Will I be able to use my cell phone or Skype for talking?

Although you can use your cell phone for surfing the Internet, sending email, etc. (assuming it has Wi-Fi capability) we do not allow passengers to use the system for voice communication either through a cell phone or Skype-like service.

Can I conduct/participate in a videoconference while in flight?

Although you may be able to videoconference, we do not allow voice communications so participation will be limited.

Will content be blocked?

Content is not blocked; each passenger is responsible for their own surfing behavior just as he or she is responsible for their magazines, movies and other materials brought on board.

Will I be able to play video games over the internet?

Yes. End of accessible content.

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1. Will all Alaska Airlines flights have Wi-Fi?
Our plan is to offer Wi-Fi on every flight. Check back often to find out how many aircraft have Wi-Fi installed.
2. Will my flight have Wi-Fi?
You will know an aircraft has Wi-Fi onboard when you see a special mark near the boarding door on the side of the airplane.
3. How soon can I start using it? Can I use it while I'm on the ground waiting to take off or do I have to wait until I'm in the air?
You can only use the system above 10,000 feet, when the flight attendant says it's available.
4. What type of equipment do I need to have to use Wi-Fi?
You need a battery-powered device that can connect to a network using 802.11b/g/n (broadband) protocol, commonly known as Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi enabled devices may include, laptop computers, Blackberry, Palm, and iPhone devices, etc. If your device is able to connect to wireless service at your local coffee shop or at a hotel, you should be able to connect on our aircraft. If you don't know whether or not your device can use Wi-Fi, contact your device manufacturer for details.
5. How do I get connected? Will the flight attendant be able to help me connect?
Since each device is different, we cannot provide detailed connection instructions either in this FAQ or onboard the aircraft so please read the documentation that came with your device prior to flight. We will have brief descriptions regarding how to log on inside the Alaska Airlines Inflight Magazine and in a seatback Wi-Fi card. In most cases, simply open a browser on your device to get started.
6. Will I need my own power supply?
All devices brought onboard need to run off battery power. Our aircraft do not have supplemental power for this purpose.
7. What is the connection speed?
The connection speed varies depending on aircraft location, the number of passengers using the system and how they are using the system.
8. Is the Wi-Fi connection secure or encrypted? Which wireless protocol is used?
Like all other Internet service providers, the security of your connection is dependent on the websites you choose to visit. The connection itself is not encrypted so you don't have to enter a security key to use it.
9. Is there a time limit or bandwidth limit? Can I stream video or audio over this connection? Can I download things while using this service?
The only time limit on a flight is the 10,000 foot indicator-below that point electronic devices are not allowed to be turned on, and the Wi-Fi system will not be available. Bandwidth limitations depend on the number of users simultaneously connected and how much bandwidth they are using. Generally speaking, you will be able to receive streaming video and audio or download files.
10. Do you allow VPN connections? Do you block any ports that I may use (SMTP, telnet, RDP, Peer to Peer?)
We only block VoIP (voice communications); all other ports remain open.
11. Will I be able to use my cell phone or Skype for talking?
Although you can use your cell phone for surfing the Internet, sending email, etc. (assuming it has Wi-Fi capability) we do not allow passengers to use the system for voice communication either through a cell phone or Skype-like service.
12. Can I conduct/participate in a videoconference while in flight?
Although you may be able to videoconference, we do not allow voice communications so participation will be limited.
13. Will content be blocked?
Content is not blocked; each passenger is responsible for their own surfing behavior just as he or she is responsible for their magazines, movies and other materials brought on board.
14. Will I be able to play video games over the internet?
Yes.

Show All Answers | Hide All Answers