Kenya Airways to launch free long-haul onboard Wi-Fi in 2027

Kenya Airways plans to introduce free onboard Wi-Fi for passengers on all long-haul routes starting in the second quarter of 2027. Acting Group Managing Director and CEO George Kamal announced that the rollout will begin with aircraft serving major destinations such as London, Paris, New York, Amsterdam, and Guangzhou.

The airline has already equipped its Boeing 777-300ER, which currently operates the Nairobi-London route, with the necessary hardware. The service is currently awaiting a slot with an internet service provider to go live. To manage costs, the airline intends to absorb the expense of connectivity for at least the first year, aiming to offset these costs by commercializing in-flight entertainment.

The installation process will occur incrementally as aircraft enter hangars for scheduled maintenance. The total investment for installing Wi-Fi across the current fleet is estimated to be between $20 million and $22 million. The carrier is prioritizing high-speed, modern technology to ensure the systems do not become outdated quickly.