Why Planes Shouldn't Have Free Wi-Fi

Increasingly, airlines are offering WiFi connectivity across their aircraft whether for pay or free of charge. Its the new trend and it isnt likely to ever go away, indeed indications suggest that the trend is set to ramp up ... Hop in!

The debate is on: Should you have to pay to play inflight or should airlines open the floodgates of free wi-fi?

Planes are getting more and more advanced. Soon, you may have a projected view of the clouds on your cabin ceiling, while drinking in-flight has never been classier thanks to true airplane bars. But, there are a few basics we still lack, like unlimited free Wi-Fi. While this could be a blessing to those of us who need to get work done on transcontinental flights, there is something pure about flights being our last tech-free sanctuary. Instead of being inundated with news, updates, and baby pictures, you have an hour, or even 18 hours, of peace at 30,000 feet to watch an '80s movie or get to that book you've been meaning to read. So, should airlines offer wi-fi to all? Traveler editors have their opinions at the ready:

Why can't we just unplug?

While others may be thrilled (and rightfully so) at the prospect of faster, better Wi-Fi to let them access their work emails at any moment, make calls or scroll through Facebook, I recoil at the idea. Flying is this rare chunk of time where, for a few sacred hours, no one can reach you. No texts, no Twitter, nothing. And it’s great! I genuinely get excited over the prospect of boarding a long haul flight armed with a novel and a stack of magazines that considerably vary in quality (a copy of the New Yorker is always nestled comfortably next to the latest US Weekly in my carry-on). Then there’s the joy of ordering off the drinks trolley and spending long undisturbed hours watching bad films without judgement. I know WiFi access, available whenever, wherever, is inevitable, but considering we already live in a world where we are almost constantly connected, I’d like to cling onto my refuge in the sky—at least for a little longer. –Lale Arikoglu

Retro Hugh Grant should be entertainment enough.

Wi-Fi on flights is more convenient, sure. It has its perks. But as the chorus to add Wi-Fi that's faster, free(er), and more ubiquitous grows louder, I find myself pausing. I like the idea that airplane travel is—sort of—one of these last bastions of disconnection, where you're free to float above clouds, watch any and all of Hugh Grant's romantic comedies, and not be expected to answer those work emails, rapidly piling up. Call me naive, but if travel is really about the journey and not just the destination, then I prefer my journey—at least, this stage—channel a more romantic era of travel. Remember the Golden Age? –Katherine LaGrave

It's the future of flying. Deal with it.

Much like many flying-related debates people seem to get charged up about, I don’t totally grasp the one regarding free in-flight Wi-Fi and whether airlines should offer it to everyone or not. Isn’t it inevitable? Won’t the somewhat near future simply hold free in-flight Wi-Fi for all? Airlines may spend much of their time figuring out how to keep offering us considerably less for more, but when it comes to Internet service, I just assume they will eventually relent and offer it gratis. Now, do I think such service is necessary? Not really. Have I gone my entire life thus far without Googling stuff on planes for free? Yes. Has traveling through the air sans free Internet ever negatively impacted my existence? Not that I’m aware of. Could I live out my days without it and be fine? As far as I know. –Logan Orlando

Let me have my multimedia.

Is this a trick question? No, really—I only ask because, like many of my fellow millennials, I have an unabiding love for (okay, possible addiction to) my various devices and gadgets, and especially so when a long-haul flight is involved. Don’t get me wrong—I cherish the idea of disappearing above the clouds for a couple of hours, burying myself in back issues of The New Yorker and being blissfully unreachable to all (a girl can dream, right?)—but I might love the ability to spontaneously HBO Go an entire season of Veep, free of extraneous charges, even more. –Betsy Blumenthal

Editors Note: So what do you think? Would you love to be connected at 35,000 feet or would you prefer to disconnect and enjoy the flight the old fashioned way? Do sound off in the comments section and please be Social! share this across your social media and all other acocunts!

This article first appeared here

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