Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) is the fuel used to fly airplanes and helicopters. It is only used in jet-engine aircraft and helicopters. It may look like regular petrol or diesel, or it may be colorless, but its chemical composition and properties are quite different. It is essentially a kerosene-based fuel, which is refined to meet the needs of jet engines. Compounds are added to it to prevent it from freezing at high altitudes and low temperatures and to maintain stable combustion in the engine.

In terms of the price of jet fuel, it is currently cheaper than petrol. The price of jet fuel from Indian Oil is around Rs 92 per liter in Delhi, around Rs 95.16 per liter in Kolkata, and Rs 86 per liter in Mumbai. In comparison, the price of petrol in Delhi is Rs 94.77 per liter, Rs 103.50 per liter in Mumbai, and Rs 105.41 per liter in Kolkata.

The main reason for the difference in the price of jet fuel and petrol is the way taxes are levied on them. Just as taxes are levied on petrol and diesel, both the central and state governments also impose taxes on ATF, but the rate of VAT (Value Added Tax) varies in each state, so its price also varies. The central government levies excise duty on ATF, while the state government levies VAT. The rate of ATF varies in many states. However, it attracts less tax compared to petrol, so even if the price is high, ATF is cheaper for aircraft. Less tax is levied to reduce the expenses of airlines.

In March 2020, the central government permitted airlines operating in India to provide in-flight Wi-Fi services to passengers. Notably, there are two primary systems for in-flight connectivity: air-to-ground and satellite.

Air-to-Ground System

This system works like mobile data on the ground but in reverse. Instead of cell towers projecting signals downward, special towers send signals upward. Antennas beneath the airplane receive these signals and transmit them to an onboard server, which then provides Wi-Fi to passengers. These ground towers are linked to operation centers run by service providers.

Satellite-Based Wi-Fi System

In this system, antennas on top of the airplane receive signals from satellites orbiting the Earth. Since both the aircraft and satellites are constantly moving, the antennas adjust to maintain a steady connection. These satellites relay data to ground stations, which connect to service providers.

Which Airlines Offer In-Flight Wi-Fi?

Many airlines in the UK and US already provide in-flight Wi-Fi. In India, some airlines, including Air India, are rolling out this service. Passengers receive details about availability when they board.

How To Connect Wi-Fi In Flight?

Connecting is easy—just like regular Wi-Fi. Passengers can tap on the Wi-Fi option on their phones. In some cases, they may need to enter their ticket details to access the service.

Is In-Flight Wi-Fi Free?

Some airlines offer free Wi-Fi, while others charge a fee. Pricing details are usually available when booking tickets.

Future of In-Flight Wi-Fi

At higher altitudes, airplanes switch to satellite-based services. Many airlines use a mix of Wi-Fi providers and technologies based on their aircraft and routes. New players like Starlink, the satellite internet service by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, are also entering the market.

Earlier this year, Starlink partnered with Hawaiian Airlines to offer high-speed internet through its low-Earth orbit satellites, marking a new era in in-flight connectivity.