In-Flight Wi-Fi Battle of 2025: Hawaiian, Qatar Airways Soar While Lufthansa Struggles with Connectivity

Published on July 7, 2025

In-Flight Wi-Fi has come to be an indispensable component of contemporary traveling. As internet access becomes increasingly important for travelers in the air, there has been new research which indicates that most airlines remain unable to offer optimal connection speeds. In a study recently conducted by Ookla, which reviewed Speedtest data in the first quarter of 2025, there remain wide gaps in performance throughout the industry, as there are airlines that shine and some which fall back.

The Race for the Best In-Flight Wi-Fi: Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways Lead the Pack

Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways lead in providing the fastest and most reliable in-flight Wi-Fi. Those airlines have occupied the 2025 Wi-Fi list topper positions primarily because they have deployed SpaceX’s Starlink space satellite system. The low-Earth orbit system has allowed both airlines to offer improved download speeds and lowered latency, which are most important in enhancing the in-flight internet connection.

Both Hawaiian and Qatar provided the best median download speeds and the least latency in Ookla’s Speedtest measurements relative to other carriers. This next-generation satellite system provides passengers with end-to-end smooth connectivity for simple tasks like browsing and streaming, and renders video calling and other highly sought-after actions more practical.

For travelers looking to stay connected while flying, both Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways have established themselves as leaders in the field, setting a high bar for other airlines to follow.

The Middle of the Pack: Spirit Airlines, Air Canada, Delta, and More

While Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways offer the best in-flight Wi-Fi speeds, other airlines are making strides to improve their connectivity. Spirit Airlines, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, Breeze Airways, American Airlines, and Aeroméxico all provided “very usable speeds” for passengers, with 90% of test results showing download speeds above 10 Mbps. This is considered sufficient for most basic needs, including browsing the web and checking emails.

However, passengers expecting to do more demanding tasks such as video calls or gaming may find that high latency often interferes with their experience. While these airlines provide decent Wi-Fi connections, the slower latency can lead to delays in real-time communication and cause disruptions during streaming or other high-bandwidth activities.

The trend toward “very usable speeds” indicates that these airlines are on the right track but still have room for improvement, especially when compared to the performance of leaders like Hawaiian and Qatar Airways.

The Struggling Performers: Lufthansa and Premium Airlines Face Connectivity Challenges

Unfortunately, not all airlines are making progress in their in-flight Wi-Fi offerings. German airline Lufthansa, for instance, finds itself at the bottom of the list, with a median download speed of just 4.14 Mbps, the slowest among the 21 airlines benchmarked. While Lufthansa may provide better Wi-Fi speeds on some planes, the overall experience is still significantly slower than that of its competitors.

Lufthansa’s slower speeds are particularly notable given its reputation as a premium international airline. The report highlights that many of Lufthansa’s passengers are still experiencing sluggish internet speeds due to the airline’s reliance on older ground-to-air systems, which have failed to keep pace with newer technologies such as Starlink.

Other premium carriers, including Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, also showed “substandard Wi-Fi experiences.” This suggests that these airlines are still using outdated or unevenly distributed in-flight systems across their fleets. While premium airlines are generally known for offering high-quality service in other areas, their Wi-Fi systems are lagging behind the industry standard.

Why Wi-Fi Matters for Airlines: The Push for Better Connectivity

As the demand for in-flight connectivity continues to grow, the quality of Wi-Fi service has become an important point of differentiation for airlines. For passengers, a fast and reliable Wi-Fi connection is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. Many travelers, especially business passengers, expect to be able to work, communicate, and entertain themselves without interruption while in the air.

Kerry Baker from Ookla explains that in-flight connectivity is not only a convenience but also an opportunity for airlines to enhance their brand value. Offering high-speed, low-latency internet can help elevate the premium status of an airline, especially when targeting international travelers who expect the best service. It’s also a prime opportunity for airlines to monetize this captive audience through premium internet services and entertainment options.

What’s Next for In-Flight Wi-Fi? Airlines Ramp Up Efforts to Improve Service

As in-flight connectivity becomes more integral to the passenger experience, airlines are expected to ramp up their efforts to improve their Wi-Fi offerings. Many industry experts predict that more airlines will adopt SpaceX’s Starlink system or similar low-Earth orbit satellite technologies, which promise to provide faster and more reliable connections in the skies.

In the coming years, travelers can expect to see significant improvements in in-flight Wi-Fi as airlines respond to growing consumer demand for faster, more reliable connections. This shift will likely result in more competition in the industry, with airlines striving to provide the best possible service to stay ahead of their rivals.

For now, travelers flying with Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways can enjoy some of the fastest in-flight Wi-Fi speeds, while those on airlines like Lufthansa may need to manage their expectations when it comes to connectivity.

(Source: Qatar Airways.)