The Morning Edition Wi-Fi on the long-haul: Is the final frontier of silence over?
Oct 7, 2025
In this engaging conversation, senior reporter Chris Zappone shares insights from his 17-hour flight from Singapore to New York with Singapore Airlines. He discusses how in-flight Wi-Fi changes the cabin experience, turning serene flights into a buzz of connectivity and distraction. Chris highlights the mental clarity gained from moments of offline solitude and the evolving airline landscape driven by passenger expectations. The duo even explores the possibility of segregated cabins to ensure a choice between connectivity and quiet reflection.
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Wi‑Fi Turns Cabins Into Extensions Of Life
- In-flight Wi‑Fi is spreading and changing how people experience flying.
- It brings the terrestrial world into the cabin and reduces the sense of sanctuary.
Connectivity Brings Ground Noise Into Flights
- Constant connectivity drags worrying, mundane details into a space once reserved for reflection.
- That shift reduces opportunities to pause from spam, bills, and marketing interruptions.
An 18‑Hour Test Of Connection And Disconnection
- Chris flew Singapore to New York on an 18‑hour flight to test cabin Wi‑Fi usage.
- The connection worked much of the trip but cut out over Alaska, restoring a feeling of 'Wi‑Fi freedom.'