Core Viewpoint - The Chinese civil aviation industry is entering a new phase of widespread free in-flight Wi-Fi services, with China Eastern Airlines set to provide free Wi-Fi on all domestic "Air Express" flights operated by wide-body aircraft starting from October 11, 2025 [1][10]. Group 1: Company Initiatives - China Eastern Airlines will initially offer free Wi-Fi on 37 "Air Express" routes, including popular routes such as Shanghai Hongqiao to Beijing Capital and Shanghai Hongqiao to Guangzhou [1][3]. - The company plans to gradually expand the free Wi-Fi service to more domestic flights based on operational data and passenger feedback [3]. - Currently, free Wi-Fi was previously limited to first class, business class, and select economy class passengers, but will now be available to all economy class passengers on wide-body flights [10][17]. Group 2: Industry Trends - The global aviation industry has seen a long evolution in in-flight internet access, with significant advancements driven by technologies like SpaceX's Starlink, which has enabled faster and more affordable satellite internet [4][5]. - As of now, nearly 20 airlines worldwide have installed or are deploying Starlink equipment, with reported download speeds reaching up to 250 Mbps [5][6]. - The introduction of free Wi-Fi services is becoming a competitive advantage for airlines, with reports indicating that airlines offering such services can sell tickets at an average of $5 more than competitors [5]. Group 3: Market Context - In China, the in-flight internet service has been limited, with only 213 aircraft equipped for internet access by the end of 2020, representing less than 6% coverage of the total fleet [7][8]. - The COVID-19 pandemic had previously slowed the development of in-flight Wi-Fi services, but the recovery of the aviation market in 2023 has led to renewed focus on this area [8][12]. - The introduction of free Wi-Fi by China Eastern Airlines is seen as a strategic move to attract more passengers, particularly business travelers, and to enhance competitive differentiation in the market [13][16]. Group 4: Technical and Financial Considerations - The implementation of in-flight Wi-Fi services involves significant costs, with estimates of 3 to 4 million RMB per aircraft for modifications, plus annual operational costs [17]. - The challenge remains whether the revenue generated from increased passenger numbers will cover the costs associated with providing free Wi-Fi [17]. - The technology used for in-flight Wi-Fi is based on high-throughput satellite communication, ensuring a reliable connection while adhering to safety standards [13].