Wondering where and how to get online at the airport or in the air? We can help. In this day and age it can be tough to disconnect. In the past, travelling meant turning your phone off and tucking your laptop safely away in your carry-on. Now however, it’s easier than ever to be connected in transit. We’ve put together a helpful guide to airport Wi-Fi as well as for select airlines so you can be connected wherever you are.
Airports
Toronto Pearson International
You can surf the web for free at Pearson International throughout both terminals, courtesy of American Express. Getting online is simple: enable Wi-Fi on your device, select “Toronto Pearson Wi-Fi” from the network list, launch your Internet browser and then click connect on the Boingo landing page.
Winnipeg Richardson International
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Winnipeg Richardson International Airport and no password is required. Get online by clicking on the airport network.
Calgary International
The Calgary Airport Authority offers free Public Wi-Fi throughout the Air Terminal building at Calgary International. Anyone wanting to make use of the service to check email or browse the web before a flight can do so by linking to the “YYC.Free.Public.WiFi” network while at the airport.
Edmonton International
Travellers making their way through Edmonton International can hop online for free while in the public areas of the terminal. You can do so by connecting to the network titled “EIA_FREE_WIFI” and then opening your web browser and clicking connect.
St. John’s International
Wi-Fi is available anywhere in the terminal building at St. John’s International. The network is titled “SJIAA Public WiFi”. Once you request to join the network, click either “English” or “French” and agree to the terms.
Vancouver International
Vancouver International offers free Wi-Fi and were actually the first North American airport to do so. YVR’s Wi-Fi network is “@yvrairport” and after selecting the network, simply open a browser on your device where you will immediately be directed to a landing page to accept the terms. From there you can click to surf the web, check in for your flight, or visit yvr.ca for airport information.
Victoria International
The Victoria International Airport offers a complimentary wireless internet service provided by Datavalet throughout its entire terminal. Get online by clicking on the airport network.
Halifax Stanfield International
Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the terminal building at Halifax Stanfield compliments of Halifax International Airport Authority. To get online connect to the “Halifax_Airport” wireless network, open your browser where you’ll see the welcome page. Type in your email address, click the check box indicating you accept the terms and conditions and then click “continue”.
If you don’t have a computer, tablet or smartphone but need to get online there are three computers available for rent at the airport. These are located on the main level across from pre-board security screening, on the departures level across from Gate 22, and near the U.S. check-in counters. Cost is $4.95 (plus HST) for 30 minutes.
Quebec City Jean Lesage International
If you need Wi-Fi while going through Quebec City Jean Lesage International you can do so for free in all sections of the terminal. Simply connect to the network titled “yqb-internet”.
Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International
There is free high-speed wireless internet access everywhere in the terminal at Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International. Connect to the network titled “AERO Wi-Fi” and open your browser. Then simply agree to the terms and conditions of use when prompted for up to 60 minutes of free browsing. If you need more time you can start a new session.
Fredericton International
The entire terminal at Fredericton International is equipped with complimentary wireless Internet service provided by the Fred e-Zone. Get online by clicking on the airport network and opening your browser.
Charlottetown Airport
Surf the web for free at Charlottetown Airport by choosing the airport network, agreeing to the terms of use and clicking connect.
Airlines
Air Canada
Air Canada currently offers in-flight Wi-Fi via Gogo to customers on select A-319 aircraft travelling between destinations within Canada, the United States and Mexico, where network coverage is available. In the near future, Gogo will also be available on A-320, A-321 and E190 aircraft. The cost starts at $5 for one hour, a day pass is $16 and it’s $59.95 for one month.
WestJet
WestJet is doing away with traditional entertainment in the form of seatback TVs and instead introducing WestJet Connect, a Wi-Fi-based entertainment system wherein passengers access in-flight entertainment through their tablets, phones and laptops. The entertainment itself is both free and paid depending on what you choose to watch and internet costs $7.99-$9.19 per flight or $4.99 for 30 minutes. You’ll need to download the WestJet Connect app to access the movies, magazines and TV shows. The service will be available on the airline’s Boeing 767ER jets by the end of the year, as well as on nearly a third of its Boeing 737 jets. Most of the 737s will have this system in place by the end of 2016. If you don’t have a device, you can rent a tablet for $6.99 on flights over three hours and 20 minutes.
American Airlines
Wi-Fi is available on nearly all flights within the U.S on American Airlines flights. The cost is $16 plus tax for a day pass and $49.94 for a monthly subscription. If you’re taking an international flight with American Wi-Fi is offered on the airline’s new 777-300ER, 787 Dreamliner and select 777-200 planes. Passes can be purchased on board for $12 for two hours, $17 for four hours or $19 for an entire flight.
Delta
Delta offers in-flight Wi-Fi for a fee of $16 for 24 hours, $49.94 for a monthly pass and $538.95 for an unlimited yearly pass. Wi-Fi is offered on 2,400 daily Delta flights within the entire continental U.S. and Alaska. You can check My Trips to see if Wi-Fi will be available on your flight.
Featured image: abdallahh, Air Canada Boeing 777 @ YUL via Flickr CC BY 2.0
