Singapore Airlines offers inflight connectivity through Wi-Fi or data roaming. In this post, I’ll explain the different options and how much they cost.
Which planes offer inflight connectivity?
Not all of Singapore Airlines’ aircraft offer inflight connectivity. Here’s which do and which don’t.
| A330-300 | ✖ | B777-200ER | ✖ |
| A350-900 (all versions) | ✔ | B777-300 | ✖ |
| A380-800 | ✔ | B777-300ER | ✔ |
| B777-200 | ✖ | B787-10 | ✔ |
How do you know what aircraft you’re on? You can find it under the “Manage Booking” tab.
Do note that the Singapore Airlines system does not distinguish between the B777-200 and B777-200ER (they’re both shown as B777-200), but in either case both don’t have inflight connectivity anyway.
Inflight connectivity can come from Wi-Fi or data roaming.
Wi-Fi
Generic photo of woman using laptop in pantsuit in bed. As people are wont to do.Singapore Airlines used to offer many different pricing plans and allowances, depending on aircraft, but thankfully they recently harmonized them:
- Chat (30MB or 2 hours, whichever comes first)- US$3.99
- Pro (100MB, valid for duration of flight)- US$9.99
- Premium (200MB, valid for duration of flight)- US$15.99
Complimentary Wi-Fi for Suites, First, Business Class and PPS passengers
Singapore Airlines offers passengers in Suites, First and Business Class, as well as Solitaire PPS/PPS Club members free Wi-Fi. This allowance varies depending on cabin as well as aircraft.
| Newer System | Older System | |
| First/ Suites | Unlimited | 100MB |
| Business Class | 100MB | 30MB |
| PPS Club members in Premium Economy/ Economy | 100MB | 30MB |
If you’re on a B787-10 or A350-900 aircraft, you’re guaranteed to have the newer system. If you’re on a B777-300ER or Airbus A380-800, you’ll get the newer system unless you’re on one of the aircraft listed below.
| Aircraft with the older system are listed below | |
| Boeing 777-300ER (19) | Airbus A380-800 (13) |
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Aircraft are gradually being refitted to the newer system, so this list may change over time.
Allowances are not cumulative, which means that a PPS Club member in Business Class will receive either 30 or 100MB depending on the aircraft system, not 60 or 200MB. These allowances apply on a per sector basis, so passengers flying SIN-HKG-SFO will receive one complimentary allowance on the first leg, and a second on the next.
Boingo access for Citi Prestige and World Elite Mastercard holders
If you hold a Citi Prestige, you’ll have access to Boingo Wi-Fi which includes inflight access on selected airlines. On Singapore Airlines, Boingo can be used on Panasonic Avionics-equipped aircraft
| Panasonic Avionics | SITA OnAir | |
| A330-300 | ||
| A350-900 (Ultra Long Haul and Long Haul) | ✔ | |
| A350-900 (Regional) | ✔ | |
| A380-800 | ✔ | |
| B777-200 | ||
| B777-200ER | ||
| B777-300 | ||
| B777-300ER | 9V-SWU, SWV, SWW, SWY, SWZ and 9V-SNA, SNB, SNC | 9V-SWA, SWB, SWD, SWE, SWF, SWG, SWH, SWJ, SWK, SWL, SWM, SWN, SWO, SWP, SWQ, SWR, SWI, SWS, SWT |
| B787-10 | ✔ |
Cell Service
In addition to Wi-Fi, you can also get data connectivity through your cellphone. Singapore Airlines aircraft equipped with inflight connectivity systems will also offer cell service provided through either OnAir or AeroMobile.
Singtel, StarHub and M1 offer all-you-can-eat data plans with both providers
In order to use this service, you need to turn on the data roaming feature on your phone.
Conclusion
It’s worth noting that the aircraft in SQ’s fleet without Wi-Fi are the ones which are being retired/returned to lessors anyway, and eventually we’ll be in a situation where all of SQ’s widebody fleet has connectivity.
The quality of your connection is highly dependent on weather conditions, location and assorted gremlins, but if your experience is so bad that you can’t use your allowance it’s well worth writing in to customer service because they’ve been known to do refunds in some instances.
SITAONAIR: [email protected]
Panasonic: [email protected]
