Lufthansa Adds Free Inflight Messaging On Flights Worldwide

In recent times, we’ve seen airlines invest hugely in inflight connectivity, including increasingly making messaging and Wi-Fi free. Earlier this year, Lufthansa Group announced plans to significantly increase the number of flights with free inflight messaging. There’s an exciting update, as that feature is live as of today.

Lufthansa expands free inflight messaging globally

In early 2024, Lufthansa introduced free inflight messaging on all short and medium haul flights operated by Airbus A320-family aircraft. Lufthansa’s entire narrow body, mainline fleet consists of A320-family aircraft (including A319s, A320s, and A321s), so this covers all of those flights.

This feature has now been expanded to flights globally. For flights as of today (June 4, 2025), Lufthansa is offering free inflight messaging on flights worldwide.

Unlimited messaging is available throughout the flight with major chat services, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram, and it’s available on smartphones and tablets. You’re even able to send and receive unlimited pictures, which is something that’s restricted with other similar free chat services.

The only restriction with using this service is that you need to log into the FlyNet portal with a Miles & More service card number, or with an email address registered with a Lufthansa Group Travel ID. If you don’t yet have this, you’re able to create a log-in during the flight. Note that it’s fine if you credit the miles for your flight to another program, as all that matters is that you have an eligible log-in. It doesn’t have to be connected to your reservation.

Let me emphasize that this free service only applies to messaging, so you wouldn’t be able to browse the web, check your email, etc.

Lufthansa continues to charge for full Wi-Fi service

While it’s great that Lufthansa has introduced free inflight messaging, the airline continues to charge for full Wi-Fi passes throughout its network. The airline does offer free Wi-Fi voucher codes to first class passengers, but other than that, all passengers are on the hook for paying.

In fairness, Lufthansa doesn’t exactly have a cutting edge Wi-Fi provider, so providing free Wi-Fi to all passengers just isn’t realistic, given bandwidth limitations. I at least appreciate that Lufthansa’s Wi-Fi pricing is reasonable, and has no data caps.

I am curious to see if Lufthansa eventually upgrades its inflight Wi-Fi. Air France has announced plans to introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi, and British Airways is also reportedly in the process of finalizing upgraded inflight connectivity.

Bottom line

Lufthansa now offers free inflight messaging on all mainline flights globally. This allows travelers to use popular chat apps, and even send and receive pictures. To take advantage of this service, you just need a Lufthansa Miles & More number or Lufthansa Group Travel ID, and there are no data caps.

I’m happy to see this change, though given the pace at which inflight connectivity is improving, hopefully we see a bigger inflight connectivity investment from the airline in the near future.

What do you make of Lufthansa expanding free inflight messaging?