In recent times, we’ve seen airlines invest hugely in inflight connectivity, including increasingly making messaging and Wi-Fi free. Lufthansa Group has just announced plans to significantly increase the number of flights with free inflight messaging, so let’s cover the details.
In this post:
Lufthansa expands free inflight messaging globally
In early 2024, Lufthansa introduced free inflight messaging on all short and medium haul flights operated by Airbus A320-family aircraft. Lufthansa’s entire narrow body, mainline fleet consists of A320-family aircraft (including A319s, A320s, and A321s), so this covers all of those flights.
There are now plans to expand this significantly. As of the summer of 2025 (no exact date has been announced), Lufthansa plans to roll out free inflight messaging on flights worldwide, so this is being expanded to long haul flights.
As is the case with the current offering on short and medium haul flights, unlimited messaging will be available throughout the flight with major chat services, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram, and it will be available on smartphones and tablets. You’ll even be able to send and receive unlimited pictures, which is something that’s restricted with other similar free chat services.
The only restriction with using this service is that you’ll need to log into the FlyNet portal with a Miles & More service card number, or with an email address registered with a Lufthansa Group Travel ID. If you don’t yet have this, you’ll be able to create a log-in during the flight. Note that it’s fine if you credit the miles for your flight to another program, as all that matters is that you have an eligible log-in. It doesn’t have to be connected to your reservation.
Let me emphasize that this free service only applies to messaging, so you wouldn’t be able to browse the web, check your email, etc.
Lufthansa will continue charging for full Wi-Fi service
While it’s great that Lufthansa is introducing free inflight messaging, the airline will continue to charge for full Wi-Fi passes throughout its network. The airline does offer free Wi-Fi voucher codes to first class passengers, but other than that, all passengers are on the hook for paying.
In fairness, Lufthansa doesn’t exactly have a cutting edge Wi-Fi provider, so providing free Wi-Fi to all passengers just isn’t realistic, given bandwidth limitations. I at least appreciate that Lufthansa’s Wi-Fi pricing is reasonable, and has no data caps.
I am curious to see if Lufthansa eventually upgrades its inflight Wi-Fi. Air France has announced plans to introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi, and British Airways is also reportedly in the process of finalizing upgraded inflight connectivity.
Bottom line
In early 2024, Lufthansa introduced free inflight messaging on all Airbus A320-family aircraft, which constitutes Lufthansa’s entire narrow body mainline fleet, for short and medium haul flights. This will now be expanded globally as of the summer of 2025.
To take advantage of this service, you just need a Lufthansa Miles & More number or Lufthansa Group Travel ID, and there are no data caps. You can even send and receive pictures.
I’m happy to see this change, though given the pace at which inflight connectivity is improving, hopefully we see a bigger inflight connectivity investment from the airline in the near future.
What do you make of Lufthansa expanding free inflight messaging?
didnt work registerd a few times
Just what we need, more people constantly staring at their phones. I enjoy 10 hrs across the Atlantic with no connectivity.
Today it seems is LH Day in Amazon...
However the messages are a good perk to say all friends what a pathetic airline LH is...
Too little, too late.