Core Viewpoint - China Eastern Airlines has announced the provision of free Wi-Fi service in all economy class seats on its wide-body aircraft for domestic "Air Express" flights, breaking the convention of exclusive Wi-Fi access for premium cabin passengers in the domestic airline industry [1] Group 1: Company Strategy - The decision to offer free Wi-Fi is part of a dual strategic layout aimed at addressing competitive focus and the airline's operational challenges, as China Eastern Airlines has faced significant profit pressure, projecting a net loss of 4.798 billion yuan for 2024 [1] - The airline's customer satisfaction has been surpassed by competitors, leading to a loss of business travelers, which directly impacts core revenue [1] - During a trial period for free Wi-Fi on international routes in 2024, the airline saw a 40% increase in new frequent flyer members, demonstrating the effectiveness of the "service for traffic" strategy [1] Group 2: Industry Trends - Internationally, more airlines are moving towards offering free in-flight Wi-Fi services, with examples including Cathay Pacific and Southwest Airlines, indicating a potential shift in industry standards [2] - The cost of retrofitting aircraft with Wi-Fi is significant, ranging from 3 million to 4 million yuan per aircraft, with annual operating costs between 300,000 to 500,000 yuan, where satellite data fees account for over 60% of costs [2] - Industry experts believe that as retrofit costs decrease and additional revenue streams from Wi-Fi become substantial, free Wi-Fi could become a mainstream choice in the industry [3]