Long-haul WiFi

[adwoot]

Recently flew a return from London to Santiago in Club World. On both flights the plane (787-9) was not equipped with WiFi. Similar experience on a 787-9 in First a few months ago from Mexico, and on that occasion was given some Avios as compensation as part of a wider complaint about a few issues with First. Like lots of people for very long flights it is important to be able to work and paying for it is not an issue.

BA only say it’s available on most aircraft so not guaranteed. I’ve seen elsewhere here that people have sometimes received compensation for lack of WiFi.

Is it worth raising a complaint, or should I live with the “subject to availability” get-out clause?

[The real Swiss Tony]

For what it’s worth, I’ve found BA’s long haul wifi to be at the better end of the spectrum in terms of speed and reliability. Also no problem with the 789’s I’ve been on. Appreciate the issue is however when you think you’ll be able to work through a flight but can’t because of the lack of connection – and can’t then tell anyone you’re off line for the next 9hrs or whatever.

I think you just have to chalk it up to experience and be prepared with the reality that it’s never a guarantee. To be using consumer technology to get two moving objects to communicate with each other atan affordable price point is after all pretty damn cool.

[SamG]

Not all the 787-9 and none of the 787-8 have it. From what I understand it’s not a quick install due to the materials used in the 787 and BA have been so tight on aircraft it just isn’t a priority. With that and them being old CW I avoid them on work travel as much as practically possible, although I always assume no wifi and if it exists it is a bonus – had it on various airlines that is is not working