Recently we’ve seen a lot of airlines make positive changes to their inflight Wi-Fi offering, from introducing free Wi-Fi with no limits, to introducing free inflight messaging. Up until now, SWISS has probably been the single worst major airline when it comes to the value proposition of its inflight Wi-Fi, but that will finally be changing.
In this post:
SWISS introduces free inflight messaging
As of August 2, 2023, SWISS will be introducing free inflight messaging on all long haul flights. This will be available throughout the flight to all customers, with no data limits. This will be limited to chat services such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram, and it will be available on smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
You’ll be able to send and receive pictures, but won’t be able to send or receive videos. Furthermore, this won’t allow you to access social media, email, etc.
This is a huge step in the right direction, and will help many travelers on SWISS better pass time onboard.
SWISS lifts data caps on Wi-Fi packages
Here’s what’s equally exciting. SWISS will be drastically improving the value proposition of its paid Wi-Fi packages. As of August 2, 2023, SWISS will have two Wi-Fi packages on long haul flights, both with no data caps:
- A four hour Wi-Fi pass will cost CHF 25 (~$29)
- A full flight Wi-Fi pass will cost CHF 35 (~$40)
On top of that, SWISS first class passengers, as well as HON Circle members, will receive unlimited free Wi-Fi.
Admittedly paying $40 for inflight Wi-Fi is hardly a deal, though it’s so much better of a deal than before. As a point of comparison, previously SWISS’ Wi-Fi plans were based on data usage. A plan for 220MB of data cost CHF 59 (~$68), which was outrageous.
If you’re on a long haul daytime flight and are trying to stay productive, you could easily spend a couple of hundred dollars on Wi-Fi on the flight. So to pay “just” $40 is a bargain, by comparison.
To ensure there’s sufficient bandwidth for everyone, SWISS will be turning off video streaming services, with the exception of videos on social media platforms. Audio streaming, cloud services, and VPN services, will all be available. 
Bottom line
SWISS is hugely improving its Wi-Fi value proposition as of August 2, 2023. The airline is adding free inflight messaging on long haul flights, and is also greatly reducing Wi-Fi pricing for those interested in a paid package.
For around $40, you’ll be able to buy a package valid for the entire flight with no data caps. While still among the highest Wi-Fi pricing of any airline, it’s a great improvement.
What do you make of SWISS’ inflight Wi-Fi changes?
The price does not matter as much as the quality of the signal. It should be more about the service/reception. In general many flights do not have good internet connection recently.
No free "general" data, nothing to differentiate business class customers and frequent flyers/*A Gold from someone flying basic economy? Room for improvement.
FINALLY unlimited wifi for first class passengers. This annoys me so much. I have two more long haul flights with Swiss this year in F and this was long overdue. All that’s missing now is car transfer to the plane
Could be free for all I care, its slow to the point of bing useless. unless that's changed.
This is quite the improvement considering the previous prices on LX. However, there is still a lack of innovation here. I would be impressed in LX installed Viasat or Starlink and started offering free high speed Wifi for everyone. Or at least how about offering the 4 hour package to J pax??? Until then I will be sticking to the texting option…
Seems like more and more airlines are catching on to the fact that Wi-Fi is a value-add for working (not just business) travellers, not just a gimmick for those with bottomless pockets. Fair game if supply and demand ends at $40 (even though that's very expensive), inflight Wi-Fi is a fairly inelastic market for many who work on the go.