British Airways Adding Free Inflight Messaging

This is not smart, but in my view it's a ridiculous fragmentation of the alliance model. So BA welcomes me onboard with my AA Exec Plat membership and my codeshare revenue dollars but in order to have wifi I have to sign up for yet another frequent flier program? This is so daft.

I’m a BA member, but had to join AAdvantage just to use WiFi on your A321 metal. This happens everywhere.

Well, AA does the same, when I fly with my BA Gold Status. 😉

"British Airways will be joining the list of airlines offering free inflight messaging to its loyalty program members…"

Might have been good to mention that on the main page as well, where it sounds like free messaging for all...

I don't think that's the case. AA doesn't offer its own members free wifi.

Considering several global airlines and major BA competitors now have or soon will have free worldwide WiFi, BA's move seems well behind the times.

It’s BA. Baby steps.

Do you have a post with the list of airlines with free wifi?

and what you get with a hub which other competitors cannot grow in

You left something out. The messaging and sign up for BA are completely free, but there are $437 in fees that's passed on that you have to cover

IB does it aswell

Presumably this doesn't apply to their (many) aircraft with no wi-fi antennas installed?

Can I send a message to a flight to be received by a cabin crew member?