More airlines are starting to offer free Wi-Fi during flights. Southwest Airlines recently announced that their loyalty program members will get free in-flight Wi-Fi on most flights. No more paying $8 – $25 to check your email or social media. You’ll soon be able to connect for free while cruising through the clouds. That’s exciting news for travelers who want to stay productive or entertained during long flights. But before you start streaming, shopping, or banking mid-air, it’s important to understand something most people don’t think about: Free Wi-Fi, even on a plane, comes with real cybersecurity risks. Here’s why hackers love public Wi-Fi, especially on airplanes, and how to protect yourself the next time you fly.
Airlines Are Making Wi-Fi Free
Not long ago, in-flight Wi-Fi was slow, expensive, and unreliable. You had to pay a fee for each device, and connections often dropped in and out. But technology is improving fast, and airlines are now competing to make the flying experience more connected and enjoyable. Southwest’s new program joins other airlines like Delta, JetBlue, and United in offering free or nearly free Wi-Fi.
JetBlue Airways partners with Amazon’s Project Kuiper on its in-flight connectivity, and United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, WestJet, Air France, Qatar Airways, and others have partnered with Starlink. The networks are faster, more stable, and often use satellites to stay connected while you’re 35,000 feet in the air. Many of these partnerships offer free Wi-Fi to passengers, often for loyalty program members.
It’s great for travelers, and it means more people are connecting, often without thinking twice about who else might be on the same network, or what information they’re sharing over Wi-Fi.
Free Wi-Fi Isn’t That Safe
When you connect to your home Wi-Fi, you’re on a private network. Only your family’s devices are on it, and hopefully, your router is password protected. Public Wi-Fi, like the kind you get at a coffee shop, hotel, airport, or airplane, is different. You’re sharing that network with strangers. Dozens or hundreds of people might be connected at the same time, which creates opportunities for bad actors to snoop or trick people into giving away information.
Think of it like being in a crowded room where everyone is talking loudly. You might think your conversation is private — but someone sitting nearby can easily overhear if they’re paying attention. In cyberspace, hackers can “listen in” on digital conversations between your device and the websites or apps you’re using.
How Hackers Take Advantage of Free Wi-Fi
Here are a few common ways cybercriminals take advantage of public (and in-flight) Wi-Fi — in simple terms:
Fake Wi-Fi Networks (“Evil Twins”)
Attackers can create a Wi-Fi network that looks official, for example, “Southwest_Free_WiFi” that’s actually fake. If you accidentally connect, everything you type or send could pass through their system. That might include passwords, credit card numbers, or personal messages.
Example: A traveler once set up a “free Wi-Fi” network at an airport, pretending to be an official provider, and collected people’s data before being caught by police in Australia.
Eavesdropping on the Connection
Even if you’re on the real airline network, if it’s not encrypted (protected by a digital “lock”), someone nearby could still see parts of what you’re doing online. It’s like someone glancing over your shoulder when you type, but digitally.
Stealing Login Sessions
Sometimes, even if hackers can’t see your password, they can grab your “session,” which is the short-term access your device gets after you log in. That means they can act as you, checking your email, viewing messages, or accessing accounts.
Installing Malware
Hackers might try to trick you into downloading a “security update” or app while you’re connected. In reality, it’s malware that steals your information or infects your device later when you get back online.
Targeting Business Travelers
If you’re checking work email or accessing company files on a plane, the stakes are even higher. A data breach or stolen credentials can expose company information and that’s a headache for everyone.
Why It’s Worse at 35,000 Feet
You might wonder, “Is airplane Wi-Fi really that risky? It’s provided by the airline, so shouldn’t it be protected?”
Here’s the truth: while the airline’s Wi-Fi service itself may be legitimate, it’s still a shared public network with many people connected at once. Unlike your office or home network, it doesn’t have strong firewalls or security tools to protect each user individually. Plus, being in the air doesn’t make you invisible to hackers, your device still connects through servers and satellites before reaching the open internet. Attackers can exploit the same weaknesses they use on the ground.
Signs You Might Be on a Risky Network
Even if you’re not very technical, don’t worry, here are a few easy clues that the Wi-Fi network you’re connecting to might be unsafe:
- The name of the network doesn’t exactly match what’s announced on the flight.
- The login page looks odd, asks for personal info, or has spelling mistakes.
- Your device warns you the connection is “unsecured” or “open.”
- You notice ads or pop-ups appearing right after connecting.
- The Wi-Fi suddenly disconnects or redirects you to strange websites.
If something feels off, trust your instincts and disconnect.
How to Protect Yourself When Using Free Wi-Fi
You don’t have to stop using in-flight Wi-Fi entirely — you just have to be smart about how you use it. Here’s how to stay safe, even if you’re not a tech expert.
1. Verify the Network Name
Before connecting, double-check the official Wi-Fi name with the flight crew. Airlines often display it on the seat-back screen or make an announcement. Never assume — and don’t connect to any network that looks “almost right.”
2. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A VPN creates a secure, private “tunnel” for your internet traffic so that no one else on the network can see what you’re doing. By using a VPN, users hide their internet address and encrypt their internet traffic, making it hard for anyone to track their online activity or steal their personal information.
There are many different VPN service providers, and you should consider the provider’s reputation, speed, and reliability. Some VPN providers may offer additional features such as ad blocking and malware protection. Carefully read the VPN provider’s privacy policy before signing up for their service because some providers may log user data or share user data with third parties. Here are a few VPN providers you may consider:
3. Avoid Sensitive Activities
Before you travel, be sure you’re protecting your online identity. When you’re traveling, try and avoid doing online banking, shopping with your credit card, or entering passwords for important accounts while connected to free Wi-Fi. Wait until you’re on a secure connection (like your phone’s mobile data or home network).
4. Turn Off Sharing
Before connecting, turn off any file-sharing or “AirDrop” features on your device. This prevents strangers from sending or requesting files while you’re on the same network.
5. Use HTTPS Websites
When visiting websites, look for the little padlock icon next to the web address. That means the site is encrypted (safe). Avoid sites that start with just “http://” which are not secure.
6. Keep Your Devices Updated
Updates often fix security holes that hackers use to break in. Before you travel, update your phone, laptop, or tablet so you have the latest protections. However, you should beware of pop ups that ask you to make security updates while you’re connected to the free wifi.
7. Log Out and Forget the Network
When you’re done, sign out of any websites or apps you used and tell your device to “forget this network.” That way, it won’t automatically connect next time, especially if a fake version of that Wi-Fi appears.
Wi-Fi Safety Tips for Frequent Flyers
- Bring your own hotspot. If your cell plan allows it, use your phone’s mobile hotspot instead of public Wi-Fi when you’re on the ground. It’s much safer because you control it.
- Use airplane mode with Wi-Fi on. This disables your phone’s cellular signal and Bluetooth, reducing unnecessary exposure while still letting you use the Wi-Fi for entertainment or browsing.
- Don’t click “security pop-ups.” If something asks you to install or update software while in flight, don’t. Wait until you’re back on a trusted network.
- Use strong passwords. If a hacker does capture your login, strong, unique passwords (or a password manager) make it harder for them to get into your other accounts.
- Enable multi-factor authentication. This adds an extra step when logging in, even if someone gets your password, they still can’t access your account without your phone or verification code.
- Use a privacy filter. This provides a little bit of extra protection from “shoulder surfers” who might be able to see private or confidential information on your computer screen.
For Companies: Protecting Employees Who Travel
If your company has employees who fly often, these new free Wi-Fi programs are a good reminder to include travel cybersecurity tips in your awareness training. Encourage staff to:
- Only connect to official airline Wi-Fi networks.
- Use the company’s approved VPN before logging into work systems.
- Avoid downloading attachments or opening sensitive files mid-flight.
- To prevent the accidental leaking of confidential information, provide privacy filters to employees.
- Report any suspicious pop-ups or login alerts after travel.
Convenience Comes With Responsibility
At a time when airlines are seeming charging for every small convenience, offering free Wi-Fi is an exciting improvement for travelers. It makes it easier to stay connected, stream, or catch up on work while flying. However, just like at coffee shops or airports, public Wi-Fi is never truly private. Hackers don’t need to be on the ground to cause trouble. A few wrong clicks in the sky can lead to stolen passwords, leaked data, or infected devices.