Summary
- Vistara now offers complimentary WiFi service for Club Vistara members on select flights, regardless of membership tier or points accumulated.
- The service includes unlimited data for messaging apps and additional data for web browsing, social media, and messaging/email for Platinum members and business class customers.
- In-flight WiFi has become a popular feature among airlines, with many now offering it for free to travelers enrolled in their loyalty programs.
India’s full-service airline, Vistara, has started offering complimentary Wi-Fi service on select flights to its Club Vistara members. Vistara, a joint venture of the Tata group and Singapore Airlines, offers onboard internet on its widebody planes as well as its Airbus A321neo planes.
Free WiFi
Vistara has announced that members of its loyalty program are eligible for complimentary WiFi service on international flights. All Club Vistara members, regardless of their membership tier, accumulated points, or tenure of membership, will be able to use this feature.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Vistara offers onboard internet options only on its overseas flights operated by its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet as well as Airbus A321neo aircraft. Getting this complimentary service is quite easy, as enrollment in Club Vistara does not require any charges or fees.
What’s included?
Vistara’s offer includes unlimited data, which is sufficient for messaging apps (WhatsApp, Messenger, iMessage, and similar services) for all Club Vistara members. Platinum members and business class customers get an additional 50MB of data, good enough for web browsing, social media, and staying connected through messaging and email services. The following table explains the benefits for different tiers:
Club Vistara Base |
Club Vistara Silver |
Club Vistara Gold |
Club Vistara Platinum |
Business Class (If not a CV member) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Messaging Apps (such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, etc.) without attachments |
Messaging Apps (such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, etc.) without attachments |
Messaging Apps (such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, etc.) without attachments |
50MB data package for browsing, social media, messaging, and email + Messaging Apps (such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, etc.) without attachments |
50MB data package For browsing, social media, messaging, and email |
To use the complimentary service, Club Vistara members must ensure their CV ID is added to the booking before boarding the flight.
Popular feature among airlines
In-flight WiFi has become a standard feature with many global airlines, particularly on long-haul routes. While initially reserved for premium cabin customers, many airlines are now extending the service free of cost to travelers enrolled in their programs as well.
Photo: Markus Mainka I Shutterstock
Earlier this year, Etihad introduced complimentary ‘Chat’ messaging throughout its entire widebody flight for passengers who sign in with Etihad Guest membership or enroll online before flying. The service is free for those enrolled in Etihad Guest membership, while those who do not wish to sign up can access the Chat package for $2.99 for flights under seven hours or $4.99 for flights over seven hours.
Singapore Airlines went a step further and became one of the first major airlines this year to offer free-of-charge, unlimited WiFi to all passengers in all travel classes. The offering is available across almost its entire aircraft fleet and almost the whole global SIA route network. Indeed, SIA’s WiFi is good for pretty much all kinds of web browsing and also for live video calling.
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