Updated on: May 1, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Use a VPN on Airplane Wi-Fi in 2024:
- Step 1: Choose a fast and secure VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN, as it has strong security features and the fastest speeds on the market.
- Step 2: Download and install the VPN. The whole process shouldn’t take longer than 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Open the VPN app and connect to a server. You can now securely go online via your Wi-Fi connection on the plane!
Airplane Wi-Fi is convenient, but it comes with certain risks — it’s like connecting to a public Wi-Fi network in the air. Hackers can intercept your data, gain access to your digital life, and steal your personal information.
The best way to secure your traffic connected to airplane Wi-Fi is with a VPN. It encrypts your traffic, which makes it unreadable, even to someone who manages to intercept it. Plus, it hides your real IP address and assigns you a new one that matches the location of the server you choose to connect to.
The best VPN to connect on an airplane is ExpressVPN. It comes with advanced security features that will protect your data from cyberattacks and the fastest speeds on the market for all of your online activities during your flight.
Why You Need a VPN on Airplane Wi-Fi
- Security & privacy. Airplane Wi-Fi networks are public, which makes them a potential target for cybercriminals, as they lack the security measures of private networks. When you connect to a VPN, your data is encrypted before it leaves your device. The encrypted data is then sent through a secure tunnel to the VPN server. This encryption ensures that even if someone intercepts your data, they won’t be able to read it. VPNs also hide your IP address, which reveals your general location, and a lot of the good ones also come with extras like an ad, tracker, and malicious site blocker.
- Avoid bandwidth throttling. Some Wi-Fi providers might limit your speed if they detect high data usage or certain types of traffic. With a VPN, your traffic is encrypted, so the internet provider won’t be able to throttle your speed based on the type of activity.
- Secure multiple devices. Most VPN services allow you to connect multiple devices under a single subscription. This means you can protect not just your laptop but also your smartphone, tablet, or any other device you might be using on the plane.
Best VPNs for Airplane Wi-Fi in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for airplane Wi-Fi:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for airplane Wi-Fi in 2024 (high-end security & super-fast speeds).
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Highly customizable & secure VPN apps with great speeds on airplane Wi-Fi.
- 🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Great for beginners (has very intuitive apps with convenient automation).
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Airplane Wi-Fi in 2024
ExpressVPN is my top pick for airplane Wi-Fi, as it comes with top-notch security features that protect your security and privacy, and it has industry-leading speeds for all online activities.
ExpressVPN offers advanced security features to keep your data safe on a plane, including:
- RAM-only servers. These types of servers write data to the RAM instead of the hard drive. They delete all data with each server reboot.
- An audited no-logs policy. ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited and confirmed multiple times, which proves that the VPN doesn’t store your IP address or browsing history.
- Full leak protection. ExpressVPN has DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection, so your real location won’t be leaked to third parties while traveling. I tested ExpressVPN at home and while connected to public Wi-Fi, and I never experienced any leaks.
- Perfect forward secrecy. This security feature changes the encryption key for each session, so even if a hacker accesses the most recently generated encryption key, they would only be able to see a limited amount of data — any past or future traffic will remain hidden.
My favorite thing about ExpressVPN is that it’s the fastest VPN on the market. In my speed tests, websites loaded instantly, and HD and 4K videos played without any interruptions. I tested it on public Wi-Fi, too, and I barely noticed that I was using a VPN. I also think it’s great that ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries.
It’s also very easy to use. It has a quick-connect feature that finds the fastest possible server for your location, and it divides its server locations into regions, so you’ll have no trouble finding the server you’re looking for even if you need to manually connect to it.
ExpressVPN has plans starting at $6.67 / month. All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Customizable VPN With Fast Speeds For Airplane Wi-Fi
Private Internet Access (PIA) apps are very flexible, which is great if you want to customize your VPN connection while in the air. You can easily change protocols (OpenVPN or WireGuard) and encryption levels (128-bit AES or 256-bit AES) to get faster or more secure connections on the plane’s Wi-Fi. Plus, you can set it up to automatically connect to any of its servers in 91 countries when it detects a public Wi-Fi network, which comes in handy both on the plane and at the airport.
The provider offers pretty fast speeds. I tested it at home and on public Wi-Fi since my internet connection is really fast. I was impressed that I got pretty similar results — websites and HD videos loaded in 1–2 seconds on both networks, and I only experienced very minor buffering.
PIA is also great for securing your data on airplane Wi-Fi. It has advanced security features, like full leak protection (I never saw any leaks in my tests), RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy. I like that its audited no-logs policy has been audited and confirmed multiple times and that it regularly releases transparency reports — they show the requests the VPN received for user data and how it didn’t comply with any of them.
Private Internet Access offers plans that start as low as $2.03 / month. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Very Secure VPN That’s Good for Beginners
CyberGhost VPN is a great pick for people new to VPNs. Its apps have a very intuitive design that makes it super simple to find and connect to different servers. Plus, it’s great that all settings and features come with helpful explanations. What’s more, you also get access to Smart Rules, which lets you automate VPN connections — for example, you can configure the VPN to automatically connect to a server when it detects an unsecure Wi-Fi network, or automatically initiate a VPN connection when you launch a specific app.
The VPN provider has advanced security features, such as RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and an audited no-logs policy. It offers DNS and IPv6 leak protection but no WebRTC protection — however, this isn’t really a deal-breaker since I never experience any leaks while connected to its servers. I also like its Identity Guard tool, which lets you check whether your email and passwords have been compromised in a data breach, which is convenient on and off a plane.
I was impressed by the VPN’s speeds. Websites loaded in no more than 2 seconds, and HD videos played with minor buffering in the beginning, both on my home network and public Wi-Fi. It’s also pretty great that CyberGhost’s server network is huge — it has servers in 100 countries. You can also use its auto-connect feature and let the VPN find the fastest server for you.
CyberGhost VPN has cheap plans ($2.19 / month). Its long-term plans are backed by a 45-day money-back guarantee, and its monthly plan offers a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Quick Comparison Table
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I used our proven testing methodology when considering which VPNs to add to this list. I used many metrics to rank the VPNs in my article, including security and privacy features, connection speeds, and ease of use. Here’s a list of the exact criteria I used:
- I only picked VPNs that are secure. The main issue with airplane Wi-Fi is that it’s not secure, so you need a VPN with very strong security features to keep your data safe. That’s why I only recommended VPNs that have essential security features, such as 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch. I also tested each provider for leaks to make sure they were 100% safe to use.
- I only included VPNs that have fast speeds. Using a VPN will slow down your original speeds, and the slowdown can be noticeable on airplane Wi-Fi. So I made sure to only recommend top VPNs that maintain very fast speeds for all online activities on both nearby and distant servers.
- I prioritized VPNs that are user-friendly. I only ranked VPN providers that have apps for all major platforms — iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. I also made sure that each provider I recommend has intuitive apps that make it super simple to find and connect to a VPN server.
- I only added VPNs that provide good value to my list. I only picked VPNs that have affordable plans, and which also come with a generous money-back guarantee. In addition, I made sure the VPNs are great for streaming and torrenting, in case you’d like to use them after you get off the plane.
VPN Not Working on Airplane Wi-Fi? Try These Troubleshooting Tips
Attempt to Connect to an Alternate Server
Servers experience temporary downtime, get overloaded, or are under maintenance. If that’s the case, your VPN won’t be able to establish a connection. The best way to get around this is to try and connect to a different server. I recommend looking for a server in the same location or in the same area to get the best possible speeds.
Purge All VPN App Cache
The files and data your VPN app accumulates can become corrupted and interfere with your VPN’s ability to connect to its servers. To fix this issue, you’ll need to clear your VPN’s app cache.
To remove the cache from your VPN app, navigate your device settings. Then, go to Applications > Manage Installed Applications > [Your VPN App] > Clear Cache.
Check Whether It’s the VPN Connection
If the airplane Wi-Fi connection is down, the VPN won’t be able to connect to a server. The only way to check whether that’s the case while on the plane is to try to visit a site or open an app without first connecting to the VPN. If you can’t access anything online, then it’s probably not your VPN app that’s causing connectivity issues, and you’ll just have to wait for the airplane Wi-Fi to reestablish its connection.
Reinstall Your VPN App
Sometimes, making changes to your VPN settings may cause connection issues. To resolve this, try reinstalling the VPN app, which will revert all configurations back to their factory settings.
To reinstall the app, navigate to your device’s home screen, access Settings, then Applications. Select Manage Installed Applications, find your VPN app from the list, and choose Uninstall. After that, you can download and install the VPN from your device’s app store.
Ensure Your VPN App Is Up-To-Date
An outdated VPN app can be a source of multiple issues. In most cases, your outdated VPN app can’t connect to the VPN’s servers because it’s no longer compatible with the updated servers. Fixing this is pretty straightforward; go to your device’s app store and check if there’s an update available.
To avoid this issue, turn on the auto-download feature in your device’s app store. This automatically downloads and installs all updates for your VPN app, ensuring you benefit from the most recent improvements and fixes.
Do Free VPNs Work on Airplane Wi-Fi?
Yes, free VPNs work on airplane Wi-Fi, but I don’t recommend using them.
The biggest downside for me is that many free VPNs lack basic security features, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN while connected to airplane Wi-Fi in the first place. There are some good free VPNs that are pretty secure, though they too limit certain features to paid users including strict limits on bandwidth and speed.
This is why I suggest investing in a premium VPN — it provides you with superior security, rapid speeds, and excellent support for streaming while using airplane Wi-Fi, any other public networks, or even when you’re at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use a VPN on airplane Wi-Fi?
It’s absolutely safe to use a VPN on airplane Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi networks, including those on airplanes, are commonly targeted by hackers, as they can intercept unencrypted traffic and steal personal data or spread malware. All VPNs on this list encrypt your data, which means even if a malicious party intercepts your data, they won’t be able to read it. They also come with advanced security features, like full leak protection, and extras like malicious site blockers to further protect your browsing while connected to airplane Wi-Fi.
Do VPNs work in Airplane Mode?
VPNs won’t work in airplane mode if your device is disconnected from the internet. However, on most devices, you can manually turn Wi-Fi back on after switching to airplane mode. If you’re on an airplane and have access to in-flight Wi-Fi, you can connect to the Wi-Fi network and then activate your VPN. This way, your device will be in airplane mode, but you can still use a VPN over the airplane’s Wi-Fi.
How does airplane Wi-Fi work?
Airplane Wi-Fi operates in 2 ways: air-to-ground (ATG) and satellite technology. With air-to-ground technology, towers on the ground send signals up to receivers on the airplane. This type of connection works well over land where ground towers are accessible.
Satellite technology involves satellites that send signals that are received by the plane through antennas located typically on the top of the plane. Satellite technology allows for broader coverage, including over oceans. While most airline Wi-Fi connections are secure, you can never be 100% — this is why I recommend using a VPN when you’re in the air.
Will a VPN slow down my internet speed on airplane Wi-Fi?
A VPN will slow down your internet speed due to the encryption process and the extra miles that your internet traffic needs to travel to get routed through the VPN server before it gets to its final destination. However, a high-quality VPN, like ExpressVPN, minimizes the latency and maintains fast speeds across all servers.
