1. Summary
This article explores Frontier Airlines’ decision to forgo inflight Wi-Fi, the implications for travelers, and the technical aspects of in-flight connectivity.
2. Frontier Airlines Lacks Inflight Wi-Fi
Frontier Airlines does not currently offer wireless Internet onboard any of its aircraft, making it one of the few remaining carriers in the U.S. without any Wi-Fi options for travelers.
3. Cost-Savings Over Connectivity
According to Frontier’s website, the airline “would rather pass the cost-savings on to [its] customers by offering the lowest fares possible.” Consequently, this business model appeals to cost-conscious travelers.
4. Challenges of Inflight Connectivity
Right now, it’s difficult — and expensive — to transfer data to an object hurtling through the sky at 550 miles per hour. Moreover, inflight Wi-Fi has notoriously been a miserably slow “amenity” that makes even sending a simple e-mail an arduous task.
5. Technology Improvements
Technology for inflight Wi-Fi is rapidly improving, however. Gogo uses 2Ku technology to make it possible to actually do things online — like stream Netflix. Therefore, until connectivity really catches up with travelers’ needs, there are extensions you can download that help web pages load up to four times faster.
6. The Decision for Budget Airlines
For many low-cost airlines like Frontier, the decision is still between mediocre inflight Wi-Fi for a high expense or no Wi-Fi for no expense. Additionally, business travelers who desperately need gate-to-gate Internet are rarely flying with a regional budget carrier, making the choice easy for Frontier.
7. How Does Frontier Save Money by Not Offering Wi-Fi?
Airlines can connect passengers with inflight Wi-Fi using two different methods: air-to-ground transmission (which connects planes with cell towers on land) and satellite transmission (which connects planes with satellites orbiting the planet).
Both methods — though oriented in opposite directions — use antennas. Wi-Fi antennas are located on the plane’s exterior, which creates drag, or increased air resistance. It’s a small change, but it adds up. More drag means slower planes that will consume more fuel and cost a greater sum to operate.
And that’s not even getting into the upfront costs of installation, much less maintenance.
8. Future of Inflight Connectivity
As technology changes, inflight Wi-Fi may become a cost-neutral (or potentially money-making) decision for Frontier Airlines. But don’t hold your breath on that happening anytime soon.
