A Guide to Onboard Wi-Fi from SYD

How to Stay Connected in the Sky

For modern travellers, connectivity in the sky is becoming as important as comfort. Whether you’re clearing emails before landing, sending a last-minute presentation, streaming a show, or keeping the group chat alive at 30,000 feet, onboard Wi-Fi can be a deciding factor when booking a flight.

For business travellers, Wi-Fi means productive flight time instead of lost hours. For leisure travellers, it means streaming, messaging, and staying connected from take-off to touchdown.

The challenge? It’s not always easy to know which airlines flying from Sydney Airport (SYD) offer Wi-Fi and what kind of experience you’ll get once connected.

The Shift to Faster, More Reliable Wi-Fi

A growing number of airlines are rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi, a satellite-based technology designed to deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and a more reliable connection compared to traditional onboard systems.

Carriers including Hawaiian Airlines, Qantas and United Airlines are starting to roll out Starlink Wi-Fi across their fleets. While availability depends on the specific aircraft operating your flight, Starlink-enabled services are widely expected to support smoother browsing, streaming and file transfers, perfect on long-haul routes.

Jetstar Dreamliner Upgrades

From March 2026, Jetstar will begin refreshing its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, enhancing in-flight comfort and connectivity. Passengers can purchase Wi-Fi and entertainment onboard by following instructions provided during the flight—no pre-downloaded app required. If in-flight entertainment is included in your fare, you’ll have access to Wi-Fi via Jetstar’s Streaming-plus product.

China Eastern Complimentary Wi-Fi

As of February 2026, China Eastern Airlines now offers complimentary inflight Wi-Fi for all passengers on direct flights between Sydney and China, allowing travellers to stay connected throughout the journey.

What to Expect Before You Connect

WiFi availability, pricing and functionality vary by airline and may depend on the aircraft operating the service and the route flown. Services are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed on all flights.

Here’s a quick guide to onboard connectivity across airlines operating from SYD so you can plan accordingly before take-off.

*Disclaimer: For the latest details, always check the airline’s website. Onboard Wi‑Fi is becoming more common, but not every connection is the same. If staying online matters to you, it’s worth factoring Wi‑Fi into your booking. Airlines are continuing to upgrade their tech, including faster satellite options like Starlink. Just note that Wi‑Fi availability is managed by each airline and SYD is not responsible for what’s offered onboard.