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
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) |
|
|
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]
Hi, I believe there’s something wrong with the table at the very beginning on the 777-300ER wifi provider. Its the other way round.
Would advise you not to rely on it.
Whoops. I’ve gone and switched them around. Will edit it, thanks
Does anyone know if M1 Data Passport covers Aircraft Satellite (OnAir/AeroMobile) data roaming? Or is it purely pay-per-use?
Do the telcos’ plans go by sector also or are they for 24 hours, even going across flights?
AMEX Boingo accounts no longer work inflight. I confirmed with Boingo directly that AMEX accounts are NOT eligible for inflight WIFI access.
But Elite Mastercard accounts (e.g. Citi Prestige) do. This is a published benefit, see here:
https://redeem.boingo.com/mcsi/standard-faqs/
My experience has been that when Boingo is available on SQ flights, my AMEX issued one had never worked, and only Citi Prestige’s issued one worked, but only limited to 1 device at a time.
Yup that would be consistent then. As per Boingo’s mail:
“Inflight Wi-Fi is not a benefit included with the complimentary service provided through American Express. Due to a recently discovered bug you may have received access on certain flights. Moving forward your American Express plan will include all the land based hotspots you’ve been enjoying but inflight Wi-Fi will no longer work.”
Thanks for the update… will change this in the post
“..There are recent reports in the Telegram Group that Boingo accounts obtained through Citi Prestige have not been able to access Wi-Fi on SQ-operated flights. Do sound off if you’ve been on a flight recently..”
I’ve been using Boingo via Citi Prestige.. connectivity has been.. well.. best described as being patchy.. but given that it’s free-of-charge, it’s hard to grumble about it.. I would certainly be less-okay with it if I was paying, but under the circumstances, and given it’s not business-critical for me, I’m okay with it.. works tho.. even if you need to ‘keep trying’ o get on..
It worked for me on the A350 but not on the A380 …
Any experience with iPass and/or Boing offered with HSBC Premier?
Seems like Boingo is available to HSBC Premier MasterCard holders in Singapore – https://www.hsbc.com.sg/1/2//personal/cards/hsbc-premier-mastercard/
I was on SIN-PVG-SIN J A380 last week. Outbound flight was able to connect via my iPhone6 and get the complimentary 30MB, but when the inbound flight was no luck to get the complimentary via the same iPhone6. Even reset the iphone6 does not help. At the end, I have to use my iPad to get the compliementary 30MB. Not sure if the same aircraft has locked down the MAC address of the phone and can’t let you re-login again after the 30MB has been fully consumed unless you purchase a price plan?
I once flew A380 SIN>AKL w patchy connectivity, AKL>SIN w zero connectivity.. then A380 SIN>CDG w mostly ok connectivity.. A359 BCN>SIN also ok..
[…] The service provider for the Wi-Fi is SITAONAIR and you can have a read here of what Wi-Fi is available on which aircraft in the Singapore Airlines fleet. […]
Posting from on board sq632 on CP bolingo account
Hello! Seems cp boingo is working again
Haha.. hopefully it’s really complimentary and I will not get a shocking bill
is it really complimentary?
[…] Singapore Airlines no longer offers all-you-can-eat data plans anymore, even on Panasonic-equipped aircraft. Instead, you choose among 3 volume-based plans: 20MB for US$6, 80MB for US$16 or 200MB for […]
Hi everyone, I just returned from a trip to Paris and London with my family and would like to share my experience with Boingo. I have Boingo through Citi Prestige and HSBC Premier Mastercard cards. I feel that most people will agree that internet access is essential in cities especially when you need it to find directions, call an uber etc. Boingo wifi is unreliable at best. Either you cannot find a source (can you imagine that I am struggling in big cities likes Paris and London which has thousands of hotspots) or the speed is totally unable to sustain… Read more »
Can’t seem to get boingo Wi-Fi to recognise the onboard Wi-Fi and connect to it. Only option left is to just use the 30MB provision on my biz class ticket. SQ 281 SIN-AKL
Citi Prestige Boingo working quite well throughout the flight.
Sent from SQ328 (A359)
Citi Prestige Boingo’s working as advertised for me (SQ879, 787-10)
Edit: Max connections allowed – one device 🙁