Flying at 35,000 feet and still scrolling Instagram feels magical, but it’s actually smart technology at work. In-flight Wi-Fi connects through two major systems.

Air-to-Ground Towers:
Planes have antennas underneath that catch signals from towers on the ground—just like your phone switching between mobile towers. This works only when flying over land.

Satellites:
For long international routes, planes use satellite antennas on top. These satellites relay signals from space to ground stations, keeping you connected anywhere in the world.

Many airlines now use hybrid systems, combining both technologies for smoother internet.

In India, in-flight Wi-Fi became possible after 2018 rules changed. Air India launched Wi-Fi in 2025, and others will follow soon.

You can enable Wi-Fi even in airplane mode, as long as mobile networks stay off.

While speeds may be slow and prices high, the future looks stronger with Starlink-like fast satellite tech coming soon.