As an increasing number of people rely on internet access to stay connected, it’s no surprise that many airlines now offer Wi-Fi on board their flights. One such airline is KLM, which provides its passengers with in-flight Wi-Fi to help them stay connected while they travel.
Which Planes have WiFi on board:
KLM offers WiFi on its long-haul fleet, which includes the Boeing 747, 777, and the Airbus A330 and A350. As of 2021, KLM has phased out its older Panasonic system and replaced it with the newer Viasat system, which promises faster speeds and more reliable connections. Other airlines that use Viasat for their in-flight WiFi include American Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines.
KLM WiFi Pricing Model:
KLM offers KLM offers a two tier pricing model for its in-flight WiFi services: one for inter-European flights and another for international flights.
Free Wi-Fi Chat
irrespective of if you are flying within Europe or Internationally, KLM offers Free Wi-Fi Chat on all flights that offer Wi-Fi. It’s a very light offering letting you send and receive text messages via WhatsApp, Messenger, WeChat, and similar services. The only thing is that you cannot send or receive photos, videos, or audio files.
Inter-European Flights:
For inter-European flights, KLM offers the two options below
| Plan | Price | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Surf Pass | EUR 8 | With this pass, you can: – surf the internet; – send and receive e-mails; – send and receive text messages. |
| Stream Pass | EUR 12 | With this pass, you can: – surf the internet; – send and receive e-mails including (large) attachments; – send and receive messages including photos, videos, and audio files; – stream music, audio, and video. |
International Flights:
For International flights, KLM offers the two options below
| Plan | Price | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Surf Pass | 1-hour – €8 – 2,700 Flying Blue Miles Full-Flight – €18 – 6,000 Flying Blue Miles | With this pass, you can: – surf the internet; – send and receive e-mails; – send and receive text messages. |
| Stream Pass | Full-Flight – €30 – 10,000 Flying Blue Miles | The Stream Pass is available on our Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft. With this pass, you can: – surf the internet; – send and receive e-mails including (large) attachments; – send and receive messages including photos, videos, and audio files; – stream music, audio, and video. |
How Does This Compare To Other Airlines?
Surprisingly well, offering complimentary Wi-Fi brings it closer to the industry leader JetBlue who offers complementary Wi-Fi on all flights.
When compared to other regional heavyweights, KLM’s WiFi prices are quite reasonable. For example:
- Air France, which is part of the same group as KLM, charges €20 for 1 hour and €30 for the entire flight on intercontinental flights.
- British Airways charges £4.99 for 1 hour, and full-flight packages range from £14.99 to £23.99.
- Lufthansa’s WiFi prices are similar to KLM’s, with prices ranging from €9 for 1 hour to €17 for the entire flight on intercontinental flights.
What Are The General Views
Both One Mile at a Time and Executive Traveller have reviewed KLM’s inflight Wi-Fi service and generally have positive things to say about it.
One Mile at a Time specifically notes that KLM’s Wi-Fi is “ridiculously fast,” with speeds that match or even exceed ground-based connections. Additionally, the review praises the ability to use messaging services like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for free, which is not available on all airlines. One Mile at a Time also mentions that KLM’s Wi-Fi is quite reliable and stable, with little to no interruption during a flight.
Executive Traveller similarly notes the fast speeds of KLM’s Wi-Fi service and the good value it provides. The review mentions that the pricing is competitive and affordable, especially considering the quality of the service. Additionally, the review points out that KLM’s Wi-Fi is much better than other airlines, such as British Airways and Lufthansa, which are often slower and more expensive.
Overall, the general consensus is that KLM’s Wi-Fi service is reliable, fast, and competitively priced. Passengers appreciate being able to stay connected during their flight and enjoy the messaging services, as well as the ability to stream movies, music, and TV shows. While there are some minor criticisms of the service, the majority of reviews are positive and recommend KLM’s Wi-Fi for anyone looking to stay connected while in the air.
Conclusion
In conclusion, KLM’s in-flight Wi-Fi service is an excellent addition to their flight experience. With coverage on their inter-European and international flights, passengers can stay connected throughout their journey, which is especially useful for business travellers who need to remain connected. KLM offers various pricing options to cater to different budgets, making their Wi-Fi affordable and accessible.
Compared to other airlines, KLM’s Wi-Fi pricing is competitive, particularly for their inter-European flights.
Overall, KLM’s Wi-Fi service provides an excellent in-flight experience, and passengers can take advantage of this by choosing KLM for their next trip.
