We’re currently seeing a bit of an inflight connectivity revolution, as airlines increasingly roll out Starlink Wi-Fi. Not only is this consistently free for passengers, but it also means that Wi-Fi can be enjoyed at speeds that are similar to what you’ll experience on the ground.
Broadly speaking, this is fantastic news, because what’s not to love about fast and free connectivity? However, I am increasingly seeing complaints about the service, including from people who don’t even use it. Issues seem particularly rampant on one airline…
Is Starlink Wi-Fi ruining the “quiet cabin” concept?
Qatar Airways is one of the global airlines that’s the furthest along when it comes to installing Starlink Wi-Fi, as the airline now has this service on all Boeing 777s, and most Airbus A350s. For the most part, people are delighted by this service, with one frequent complaint — Starlink Wi-Fi makes the cabin loud.
By having free Wi-Fi that’s fast, you’re obviously going to greatly increase usage:
- You have more people sending and receiving messages, often without their alert tone muted
- You have more people watching videos without headphones, just as they’d otherwise do in public
Most airlines ban video and voice calls via Wi-Fi, even if the speeds can support it. Presumably this is because of the can of worms this opens up in terms of people making really loud calls. However, one exception is Qatar Airways, which allows passengers to make video and voice calls via inflight Wi-Fi.
I know some people will be shocked to hear this, but as it turns out, not everyone is very considerate of others. For example, here’s a complaint about this on FlyerTalk, which is one of many that I’ve seen:
This was my first time flying Qatar with Starlink, and I wish it wasn’t free. Flew DOH-IAH J last month and it detracted from the experience overall. One person mid flight was having a phone call on speakerphone, we had to get a flight attendant to tell that person to get off the phone. And throughout the flight you have jerks that just don’t know how to turn their phone on silent and we would hear pings.
What’s the best Wi-Fi policy for airlines to have?
It would drive me bonkers if I were on a long haul flight trying to sleep, and there were constantly chimes, people making phone calls on speakerphone, etc.
In theory, I’m all for airlines allowing video and voice calls on planes. If done correctly, one should be able to have these conversations at the same volume as if they’re talking to the person seated next to them, and sometimes it’s useful to be able to take a call. For that matter, it really elevates the productivity people can have on planes, if they can even attend a conference call, or whatever.
The problem is that no matter how often you announce over the PA to please respect other passengers, keep the volume down, and silent your devices, that doesn’t mean people will actually listen:
- Many people don’t realize that their voice when they’re making a call is way louder than their voice when talking to someone near them
- Many people just live in their own world, and aren’t bothered by the fact that the chimes or their elevated voice may inconvenience others
In theory, flight attendants should of course enforce the quiet cabin policy. However, sometimes that’s easier said than done:
- It can be hard to figure out where exactly a quick chime comes from, especially if many are going off in the cabin
- At airlines with high service standards and more of a culture of fear for frontline employees (like Qatar Airways), some flight attendants may be hesitant to confront some passengers, especially in premium cabins, worrying that a complaint will be filed
- At airlines without high service standards and/or a culture of fear, good luck getting some flight attendants to care enough to police the cabin 😉
I’m sort of chuckling at the thought of a flight between Miami and Latin America with Starlink Wi-Fi where voice and video calls are allowed. I think I’d rather stay home!
Bottom line
Airlines are increasingly introducing fast and free Wi-Fi, which is exciting… for the most part. The issue is that just as you’ll find on the ground, not everyone is great at showing basic courtesy toward others. And for the airlines that do allow video and voice calls, that adds an additional layer of complexity to this.
On the ground if someone is showing bad etiquette with how they use technology, you can typically just leave. That’s a little more complicated on a plane.
How do you see this situation evolving? And do you think airlines should allow video and voice calls inflight?
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