While Cathay Pacific First Class customers have enjoyed complimentary inflight Wi-Fi since 2022, other passengers have to pay up to US$19.95 for access- annoying in a time where competitors like Singapore Airlines have made it free for everyone.
But that’s starting to change. Cathay Pacific has just rolled outย complimentary Wi-Fi to all Business Class passengers, with top-tier Cathay Diamond members set to get free access from November 2024.
Cathay Pacific expands free Wi-Fi access
Cathay Pacific Business Class passengers now enjoy complimentary inflight Wi-Fi on all flights where the service is available.ย Customers are limited to access on one device at a time, with the option to switch between devices at any time during their flight.
| ๐Pro-tip: Sharing Wi-Fi |
| If you want to access Wi-Fi on more than one device, connect on your phone first, then turn on its hotspot feature to share access with your laptop or other device |
Cathay Diamond members are next in line for free Wi-Fi, with the airline promising to implement it by November. While the details have not been confirmed yet, I would assume you need to have your Cathay frequent flyer membership number on the boarding pass to enjoy the benefit (though it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t credit your flight to a different programme, provided you find a check-in agent who can do FQTS/FQTV splitting).
Which Cathay Pacific planes have Wi-Fi?
Cathay Pacific says that 90% of its fleet is currently equipped with W-Fi, and aims to offer inflight connectivity service across its entire fleet by mid-2025.
For now, you’re guaranteed Wi-Fi access when flying on an Airbus A350 or A321neo aircraft. Most, but not all Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s have Wi-Fi.ย
The following map shows coverage areas- note the better connectivity offered by the Airbus A350s, which using a different system from the Boeing 777s.
How much does Wi-Fi cost on Cathay Pacific?
There’s still no news as to whether Cathay Pacific intends to eventually make free Wi-Fi available to all passengers, so in the meantime, Premium Economy and Economy Class passengers will need to pay for access.ย
Packages range from US$9.95 to US$19.95, as shown below.
| Package | Price |
| One hour continuous usage | US$9.95 |
| Flights up to six hours | US$12.95 |
| Flights above six hours | US$19.95 |
Cathay Pacific also offers a US$3.95 messaging pass which allows text messages to be sent via WhatsApp and Facebook messenger, but doesn’t support sending images or general web browsing.ย
Conclusion
Cathay Pacific Business Class passengers can now enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi access, with Diamond members due to follow later this year.ย
This is certainly a welcome development, but with more and more airlines making the service available to everyone, Cathay will need to move quickly on this or be left behind.
Was fortunate enough to trial it on a CX flight last month. My QR FFP# was on the boarding pass. They didn’t have to do any FQTV/FQTS splitting. IIRC, I just had to have a Cathay membership so that I could log on.
oh like a portal? that’s great then.