Which Asian airline has the fastest in-flight wifi? New global rankings revealed
In-flight wifi has long been the bane of air travellers, as it has generally always been unreliable, overpriced and painfully slow. But according to a new 2025 report from Ookla, some airlines are starting to get it right. While US and Middle Eastern carriers lead the pack, one Asian airline now delivers wifi speeds fast enough for real-time streaming. The rest, including some of Asia's most prestigious names, have work to do. With satellite tech evolving rapidly, the sky is becoming the next connectivity battleground.
Read more: Airline rules for power banks—what you need to know
Asia's most luxurious carriers may have mastered hospitality, but when it comes to in-flight wifi, most are still lagging in the digital age. According to Ookla's Q1 2025 Speedtest Intelligence report, Qatar Airways leads the wifi game globally with a median download speed of 120.6 Mbps, thanks to its rollout of Starlink's low-Earth orbit satellite network. That places it alongside Hawaiian Airlines as the only two truly high-performing global players.
Singapore Airlines's in-flight wifi ranks 13th globally, with a median download speed of 25.55 Mbps—respectable, but far from transformative. EVA Air and ANA follow close behind, with 24.79 Mbps and 23.74 Mbps, respectively. Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines trail further, at 17.06 Mbps and 15.31 Mbps, putting them well into the bottom half of the rankings.
These carriers primarily rely on GEO satellite systems or outdated LTE ground-to-air networks. That results in higher latency—often upwards of 700 milliseconds—making anything beyond email or messaging a test of patience. By contrast, Starlink's LEO satellites deliver vastly improved latency at just 44 ms, enabling smoother video calls, cloud work and real-time streaming.
See also: Luxurious Escapes: 5 private islands to visit from Singapore with no flights needed
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tatler Asia
2 days ago
- Tatler Asia
No passport needed—eat your way across Asia with these tasty snack boxes
KoreaCrate This monthly snack box offers over 15 items such as Dunkin' green onion cream cheese popcorn, nurungji scorched‑rice crisps, jjajang instant ramen and Jeju citrus sweets—and may even include facial masks or other K‑beauty items. KoreaCrate is a straightforward subscription snack box with no fluff: just popular and current Korean snacks packed fresh and shipped fast. With express international delivery, it's also one of the most dependable options for customers in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and beyond. Bokksu Bokksu blends Japanese tradition with a modern, gourmet twist. It partners with small, family-run businesses to deliver around 22 snacks per box—ranging from delicate mochi to unique flavoured chips—along with a tea pairing and a 22- to 24-page guide detailing each item's origin. Bokksu ships to most countries, including Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines, with a flat-rate international shipping fee of US$9.99 per box. Heap Brand Heap Brand curates Thai snacks sourced from local producers and brands, offering themed boxes with over 10 items, like crab curry chips, dried fruit and Thai milk tea, to capture the country's street food culture. Beyond snacking, it supports local communities and has partnered with the SOS Food Rescue Foundation, which combats food insecurity and waste in Thailand. Though still an emerging player in the snack subscription scene, it stands out with a clear mission, balancing flavour and social impact in one thoughtful package. TokyoTreat TokyoTreat focuses on modern Japanese pop snacks you'd find in konbini stores or Don Quijote aisles—Pocky, Hi-Chew, Calbee chips and exclusive KitKat. Each box also includes a full-size Japanese drink—think seasonal Fanta or classic Ramune soda—alongside a pack of instant noodles, whether ramen, soba or udon, creating a comprehensive taste of Tokyo's beloved convenience store culture. It's ideal for fans of anime, J-pop or just fun Japanese flavours. Seoul Goodis Seoul Goodis blends Korean snacks with cultural storytelling for a more immersive experience. Each monthly box includes around 18 curated snacks and drinks, including sweet and spicy chips, honey cookies, kimchi noodles and trending drinks, along with occasional extras like a Bojagi cloth wrap and access to a digital cultural magazine. The brand ships to most Asian destinations from seven to 14 business days. Tasty Snack Asia Singapore-based service Tasty Snack Asia functions as a personal snack concierge rather than a traditional subscription. Its 'Build a Gift Box' feature allows enthusiasts to curate from over 1,000 primarily Asian snacks, creating a fully personalised snack box experience. This one-stop online store caters to those who prefer designing their perfect care package, offering the ultimate flexibility for travellers who want complete control over their edible souvenirs. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
Tatler Asia
23-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
What is micro-travel and which Asian cities are perfect for it?
Micro-travel is trending among millennials and Gen Z. Here's everything you need to know before flying Micro-travel is when you take a mini trip to a destination to explore the highlights in just one day or less. It makes exploring nearby places even more fun and accessible. These micro-travel journeys are ideal for travellers with limited vacation time or unpredictable work commitments. With lower costs and reduced planning stress, taking a 'micro-cation' is the ideal antidote for those seeking a quick, stress-free adventure. Agoda has just released Asia's top destinations for one-night travel based on the booking trends on the travel platform for the first five months of 2025. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has emerged as the most popular travel destination for a one-night micro-travel in Asia. The rest of the top five are Seoul, Taipei, Manila and Pattaya. Which place would you choose for micro-travel? Also read: Only one Asian city makes it among the top 10 most liveable cities in 2025
Tatler Asia
23-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
Which Asian airline has the fastest in-flight wifi? New global rankings revealed
Ookla's latest report spotlights Asia's top performer in in-flight wifi, as connectivity becomes a key travel feature In-flight wifi has long been the bane of air travellers, as it has generally always been unreliable, overpriced and painfully slow. But according to a new 2025 report from Ookla, some airlines are starting to get it right. While US and Middle Eastern carriers lead the pack, one Asian airline now delivers wifi speeds fast enough for real-time streaming. The rest, including some of Asia's most prestigious names, have work to do. With satellite tech evolving rapidly, the sky is becoming the next connectivity battleground. Read more: Airline rules for power banks—what you need to know Asia's most luxurious carriers may have mastered hospitality, but when it comes to in-flight wifi, most are still lagging in the digital age. According to Ookla's Q1 2025 Speedtest Intelligence report, Qatar Airways leads the wifi game globally with a median download speed of 120.6 Mbps, thanks to its rollout of Starlink's low-Earth orbit satellite network. That places it alongside Hawaiian Airlines as the only two truly high-performing global players. Singapore Airlines's in-flight wifi ranks 13th globally, with a median download speed of 25.55 Mbps—respectable, but far from transformative. EVA Air and ANA follow close behind, with 24.79 Mbps and 23.74 Mbps, respectively. Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines trail further, at 17.06 Mbps and 15.31 Mbps, putting them well into the bottom half of the rankings. These carriers primarily rely on GEO satellite systems or outdated LTE ground-to-air networks. That results in higher latency—often upwards of 700 milliseconds—making anything beyond email or messaging a test of patience. By contrast, Starlink's LEO satellites deliver vastly improved latency at just 44 ms, enabling smoother video calls, cloud work and real-time streaming. See also: Luxurious Escapes: 5 private islands to visit from Singapore with no flights needed
