Vodafone launches $5 in-flight roaming

Vodafone has launched in-flight roaming, allowing you to access your mobile plan inclusions from a plane for just $5 per day.

Two young girls looking at their phones from the back of a van, likely enjoying the double data SIM-only deal from Vodafone

BTTR is independent, but we may earn money when you purchase through links on our site.

Vodafone changed the face of International roaming with its $5 a day offering, and now the telco is doing it again. Vodafone has just launched in-flight roaming, so you can access your mobile plan's inclusions on select international airlines.

While the last thing anyone wants is to be sitting next to someone on a long-haul phone call, being able to use your mobile data instead of in-flight Wi-Fi could definitely have some advantages.

Just like international roaming, you need to pay Vodafone $5 a day to access in-flight roaming. If the aircraft is equipped with the right equipment, you can use it to use your plan's call, text and data inclusions from 20,000ft in the air.

To use in flight roaming, you need to turn it on through My Vodafone before you depart. Then, once the plane hits altitude and the pilot switches on in-flight roaming, you simply turn on your phone, or switch it out of flight mode.

There are a couple of important caveats: First, you need to have an eligible Vodafone plan. It excludes data capped at speeds of up to 1.5Mbps 2Mbps, 10Mbps and 25Mbps. Also, if you use up all your data, you'll be automatically charged $5 for an extra gig (on top of the $5/day in-flight roaming fee).

If you used In-Flight Roaming during your flight and you landed in a $5 roaming eligible country within 24 hours, you can continue to use $5 Roaming without paying an additional $5. In-flight roaming and $5 Roaming are valid for 24 hours.

If you continue to use your included data, calls and texts after 24 hours, then you’ll be charged another $5.

It's also only available on select aircraft with the following airlines:

  • Aer Lingus
  • Air Belgium
  • Asiana Airlines
  • Bangladesh Airlines
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Egyptair
  • Emirates
  • Etihad Airways
  • Eva Air
  • Airyways
  • Kuwait Airways
  • Lufthansa
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • SAS
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Swiss
  • Air Portugal
  • Turkish Airlines
  • Uzbekistan Airways

This is another way Vodafone is making itself the mobile provider of choice for frequent international travellers.

You can find out more at Vodafone's website.