[gruez]

>Especially on 12hr flight where it should be provided for free imo.

"Should" in the sense that "everyone should get free food, housing, and healthcare" or that other airlines actually provide it for free? I don't know of any airline that provides it for free, the most is some Asian/Gulf airlines providing "free for 1 hour" or similar. Compared to that, "free texting, unlimited" doesn't seem too bad, considering there are also trans-continental flights with no internet access at all.

[apple1417]

On a recent 12h Air New Zealand flight I went on they offered free wifi for everyone. They say you can:

- Browse the web.

- Send and receive emails and messages.

- Check and post to social media

In practice I think they just whitelist a few messenger apps. Everything else was unusable - I couldn't even load this site. Only had my phone so couldn't check if I was actually receiving any bytes from other sites, but it at least wasn't immediately blocked.

[theideaofcoffee]

> - Browse the web.

> - Check and post to social media

> In practice I think they just whitelist a few messenger apps. Everything else was unusable

That was probably intentional, because to the vast majority of the users of these services, 'the web' is just a handful of the same social sites. As long as they can post a few things about their trip, that's the extent of the web access that they need or care to want. Sucks when you're expecting the whole kit and kaboodle, but the airlines seem to know their customers.

[stackedinserter]

"Should" in the sense that they need to provide basic dignity to people on board. Same as toilet and basic necessities like glass of water or very basic meal.

Although "dignity" and modern planes can't be used in the same sentence, unless you pay 5x for business class, passengers are humiliated less there at least.

[nickthegreek]

You feel a loss of dignity if you can’t connect to the internet for a few hours for free? But are too cheap to negate that loss for $31?

[stackedinserter]

Following your logic, it will be ok for you if airlines start charging for washrooms, reclining seats, windows or anything on board except just being alive. Why wouldn't you pay for washroom $15/minute + water and toilet paper?

[nickthegreek]

i’ll take that as a yes.

[stackedinserter]

What do you take? I probably need to take it too, to tolerate abysmal service from airlines and airports.